1 13  R      R  Y 

OF  THE 

Theological  Seminary, 

PRINCETON,  N.  J.  1 

BX  5037  .B5  1855  v. 9  ^  \ 
Bickersteth,  Edward,  1786- 

1850.  I 
The  works  of  the  Rev,  Edward 

Bickersteth 


I 


THE  WORKS 


THE  REV.  EDWARD 'BICKERSTETH, 

RECTOR   OF  WATTOX,  HERTS. 


VOL.  IX. 

CHRISTIAN  TRUTH. 


NEW  YORK: 
ROBKRT    CARTER   &  BROTHERS, 

285  BROADWAY. 
1855. 


CONTEXTS. 


CHAP. 

I.  THE    HOLY   SCRIPTURES  .  .  .  .  1 

n.  THE   GREAT   GOD  .  .  .  .  21 

III.  CREATION  .  .  .  .  .  .  42 

IV.  PROVIDENCE      .  .  .  .  .  .  62 

V.  REDEMPTION   BY   CHRIST       .  .  .  .82 

VI.  INTERCESSIO.V   OF   CHRIST     ....  103 

VII.  THE    HOLY   SPIRIT       .  .  .  .  .124 

VIII.  THE   WORK   OF   THE    SPIRIT  .  .  .  144 

IX.  CHRIST   OUR  LIFE        .  .  .  .  .165 

X.  CHRISTIAN    PRIVILEGES  .  .  .  .187 

XI.  CHRISTIAN  GRACES      .....  208 

XII.  REPENTANCE    AND   FAITH       ....  229 

XIII.  CHRISTIAN   HOLINESS  ....  250 

XIV.  AFFLICTIONS  .  .  .  .  .271 
XV.  THE   CHRISTIAN   CONFLICT    ....  286 

XVI.  SPIRITUAL   JOY  .....  296 

XVII.  PRAYER  .  .  .  .  .315 

XVIII.  PRAISE  ......  333 

XIX.  THE   CREED,    THE    TE.V     COMMANDMENTS,  AND 

lord's   PRAYER       .....  342 

XX.  THE   BOOK   OF   PRAYERS         ....  378 

XXI.  HINTS   FOR  PRaYEU    .  .  .  .  .441 


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TO 

HIS  DEAR  PARISHIONERS,  AT  WATTON, 

AMONG  WHOM 
HE  UAS  MINTSTERED  FOR  EIGHT  TEARS, 
WITH  A  GRATEFUL  SENSE 
OF  THEIR  GENERAL  KINDNESS  TO  HIMSELF, 
AND  WITH 

A  GROWING   HOPE  THAT  HIS  MINISTERIAL  LABOURS  AMONG 
THEM  MAY  BE  INCREASINGLY  BLESSED 
TO  THEIR  SPIRITUAL  AND  EVERLASTING  GOOD, 

THIS  WORK 

WRITTEN  ORIGINALLY  FOE  THEIR  USE, 
AND  CIRCULATED  AMONG  THEM, 
AS  IT  WAS  PUBLISHED  FROM  TIME  TO  TIME, 
IS  NOW 

AFFECTIONATELY  INSCRIBED  BV 
THEIR  FAITHFUL  AND  ATTACHED  PASTOR, 

THE  AUTHOR. 

October  15,  1838. 


PREFACE. 


The  ignorance  among  many  in  this  parish  of  the  first 
principles  of  divine  truth,  and  the  importance  of  bringing 
that  truth  before  them  in  a  simple,  easy,  and  devotional 
form,  led  the  author  to  endeavour  to  prepare  a  series  of 
tracts  adapted  to  their  situation.  He  had  been  in  the 
habit  of  publishing  a  yearly  address  to  his  parishioners, 
referring  to  tiie  past  year,  and,  as  he  hoped,  not  without 
benefit.  But  it  appeared  to  him  that  he  might,  by  bring- 
ing before  them  the  leading  truths  of  the  gospel  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  occasional  addresses,  on  a  regular 
plan,  more  eff'ectually  promote  their  spiritual  good.  His 
"  Christian  Psalmody"  affbrded  him  an  outline  of  those 
leading  truths  :  and  it  was  his  design,  from  time  to  time, 
as  God  enabled  him,  in  short,  practical  tracts,  to  endeavour 
to  illustrate  and  apply,  witli  as  much  plainness  as  he  could 
use,  the  great  truths  of  the  gospel,  in  the  order  brought 
forward  in  that  work.  His  immediate  object  was,  that 
none  under  his  charge  should  be  without  a  plain  and  clear 
statement  of  those  great  principles  of  divine  revelation 
which  God  has  made  known  in  his  word  for  our  salvation  ; 
and  he  hoped  that  it  might  please  God  to  prosper  this 
eflbrt,  not  only  for  this  immediate  object,  but  for  more 
extensive  usefulness. 

This  work  was  commenced  about  four  years  since,  and 
was  originally  published  in  separate  numbers,  and  do- 


VIU 


PREFACE. 


signed  for  the  author's  poorer  parishioners.  It  was  entitled 
"  The  Cottagers'  Guide  to  Christian  Trath,"  but  the  author 
was  induced  to  change  that  title  on  finding  that  a  similar 
title  had  at  the  same  time  unconsciously  been  adopted  by 
a  beloved  brother  minister,  the  Rev.  A.  R.  Dallas,  for  a 
very  useful  work  on  the  New  Testament.  He  was  led  to 
the  present  title,  "  Christian  Truth,  a  Family  Guide  to 
the  Chief  Truths  of  the  Gospel,"  as  more  adapted  to  the 
nature  of  the  work  as  it  grew  under  his  vv'riting  it  from 
year  to  year. 

Should  it  please  God  to  give  him  an  opportunity,  he  pur- 
poses at  some  future  time  to  add,  as  a  second  series,  "  The 
Christian  Church,  a  Family  Guide  to  the  Church  of 
Christ,"  in  pursuance  of  his  original  plan,  to  follow  the 
order  of  subjects  laid  out  in  his  Christian  Psalmody. 

The  author  would  venture  to  recommend  the  reading  of 
a  portion  of  a  chapter  by  the  Cottage  or  District  Visitor 
to  the  poor  once  a  week,  or  oftener,  as  a  help  to  conver- 
sation with  them  :  and  possibly  parents  might  find  some 
assistance  in  conveying  religious  principles  to  their  chil- 
dren in  the  same  way.  Questions  might  advantageously 
be  proposed,  on  the  portion  read. 

May  it  please  the  Father  of  mercies  to  bless  the  work, 
as  a  help  to  each  reader's  knowledge  of  divine  truth,  and  an 
assistance  in  the  most  blessed  and  enriching  of  all  duties 
and  privileges,  that  of  communion  with  himself. 

Edward  Bickersteth. 


Watton  Rectory,  Herts, 
Oct.  15, 1838. 


CHKISTIAN  TEUTH. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  HOLV  SCRIPTURES. 


1.  The  Bible  is  the  word  of  God— 2.  What  it  contains~3.  The  Bible  shows 
US  what  is  to  take  place — 4.  How  the  Bible  is  to  be  read— 5.  Family  Reading 
and  Conversation — 6.  Prayers  before  and  after  reading— 7.  Useful  Tables. 


1.  THE  BIBLE  IS  THE  WORD  OF  GOD. 

There  are  many  books  in  the  world,  but  there  is  one  of 
an  entirely  different  character  from  every  other,  professing 
to  be  not  the  word  of  an  erring  human  being,  but  the  ex- 
press and  infallible  word  of  the  great  God  who  made  us. 

It  is  called  The  Bible,  which  comes  from  a  Greek  word, 
meaning  the  Book.  It  has  a  peculiar  title  to  this  name, 
as  the  one  book  of  supreme  importance  and  value  :  which, 
if  duly  regarded,  brings  the  greatest  advantage  to  us,  and 
which  cannot  be  neglected  without  the  greatest  danger  and 
the  most  serious  injury  to  our  best  interests.  It  is  also 
called  Scripture,  which  means  the  writings,  on  account 
of  its  superiority  to  every  other  writing.  When  it  was 
first  given  to  man,  printing  was  not  known,  and  to  dis- 
tinguish these  writings  from  all  others,  they  were  called 
The  Writings.  This  book  has  the  first  of  all  possible  claims 
on  our  attention,  because  by  it  God  speaks  to  us.   It  is  the 


CHKISTIAN  TRUTH 


word  of  God:  "Thus  saith  the  Lord,"  may  be  inscribed  on 
the  Bible. 

How  may  a  poor  man  kno'.v  that  the  Bible  is  the  word 
of  God  ?  Let  us  look  around  :  who  are  those  that  profess 
to  believe  this,  and  who  really  endeavour  to  act  according 
to  the  directions  of  the  Bible  ?  Are  they  not  persons  of 
good  character  and  integrity  ?  and  the  more  they  seek  to 
live  according  to  the  Bible,  are  they  not  the  more  remark- 
able for  uprightness,  benevolence,  and  diligence  in  doing 
good  toothers'?  Look  next  at  those  who  disbelieve  the 
Bible  as  the  word  of  God,  and  we  shall  find  that  the  more 
they  reject  the  Bible,  and  speak  against  it,  the  more  they 
are  vain-glorious,  disreputable,  and  selfish,  and  generally 
immoral  in  some  part  or  other  of  their  conduct. 

Then  open  the  Bible  :  see  how,  throughout,  it  condemns 
sin  and  falsehood,  and  all  that  our  conscience  tells  us  is 
■wrong  ;  and  how  it  declares  that  all  "  liars  shall  have  their 
part  in  the  lake  which  burneth  with  fire  and  brimstone." 
It  everywhere  insists  upon  truth,  righteousness,  and  all 
that  our  conscience  tells  us  is  right.  It  thus  bears  the 
mark  and  stamp  of  truth  in  every  part.  Bad  men  could 
not  have  written  a  book  everywhere  condemning  all  wick- 
edness :  it  must  have  been  written  by  good  men. 

Then  think  what  the  Bible  says  of  itself.  It  expressly 
declares,  "  All  scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God." 
2  Tim.  iii.  16.  "  Holy  men  of  God  spake  as  they  were 
moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost."  2  Peter  i.  29.  Good  men 
would  not,  durst  not,  have  imposed  so  monstrous  a  lie 
■upon  us  as  to  call  their  own  words  the  word  of  the  living 
God,  and  to  require  all  men  to  believe  this,  or  be  for  ever 
ruined. 

The  glorj'  of  the  Bible  is,  tliat  it  reveals,  throughout,  a 
Saviour.  It  shows  to  us  sinful  creatures  a  way  of  free 
and  complete  deliverance  from  our  sins,  planned  and  exe- 
cuted by  the  great  God  himself,  and  to  be  proclaimed  to 
every  human  being.  The  whole  of  this  great  salvation  is 
so  peculiar,  so  adapted  to  our  wants,  so  above  all  the 
natural  ideas  of  man,  and  so  contrary  to  all  his  preju- 


THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 


3 


dices,  as  to  furnish  a  strong  evidence  that  the  Bible  is  from 
God. 

Look  then  at  the  different  classes  of  men  in  the  world. 
You  see  a  singular  people  called  the  Jews,  everywhere 
dispersed  over  the  earth,  claiming  to  be  descended  from 
their  forefather  Abraham.  They  have  in  their  keeping 
one  part  of  the  Bible,  called  the  Old  Testament.  They 
profess  to  have  received  it  from  the  beginning  as  written 
by  inspired  prophets  of  their  own  nation.  Their  whole 
national  history  is  bound  up  with  the  miracles,  and  history 
and  truth  of  the  Bible.  They  are  our  witnesses  for  the 
purit}'  of  the  books  which  they  believe.  Especially  it  is 
clear  that  they  would  not  have  invented  those  pai'ts  which 
occur  so  frequently  about  their  national  crimes  and  sinful- 
ness, and  those  prophecies  which  so  clearly  foretel  the 
history,  sufferings,  and  resurrection  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  whom  they  have  rejected.  We  may  be  certain, 
therefore,  that  it  is  a  true  record  of  historical  facts,  and 
that  all  these  prophecies  were  written  hundreds  of  years 
before  our  Lord  came.  God  only  could  foresee  and  foretel 
future  events.  God  has  manifestly  done  so  in  the  Old 
Testament,  respecting  Christ  Jesus  :  here  is  one  proof  that 
it  is  the  word  of  God. 

Look  again  at  another  class  of  men  in  the  world.  You 
see  millions  of  human  beings  professing  to  be  Christians. 
Christianity  spreads  over  the  most  civilized  and  intelligent 
jiart  of  our  globe.  Whence  did  this  arise  !  The  gospels 
and  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  show  you.  Tliey  tell  you  of 
mighty  miracles,  worthy  of  the  glorious  God,  obvious  to 
all,  done  in  the  broad  day,  before  many  thousands  of  wit- 
nesses, and  such  as  their  very  senses  made  evident  ;  and 
of  Christianity  being  founded  on  these  wonderful  facts. 
These  miracles  prove  that  the  Bible  is  the  word  of  God, 
and  the  very  existence  of  Christianity  proves  the  miracles. 

Look  at  a  still  larger  class  of  men,  the  unconverted 
NATIONS  of  the  earth  ;  and  see  how  the  want  of  the  Bible 
is  attended  with  innumerable  evils.  Among  the  heathen, 
where  no  ray  of  revealed  light  shines,  the  most  debasing 

B  2 


4 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


idolatry,  licentiousness,  cruelty,  and  wickedness  prevail. 
Among  the  Mahomedans,  or  followers  of  the  false  prophet 
Mahomet,  but  feeble  remnants  of  revealed  truth  are  left, 
and  there  despotism,  oppression,  and  many  abominable 
vices,  mark  their  condition.  In  those  lands  where  the  mild 
and  kind  and  purifying  principles  of  the  Bible  are  un- 
known, there  invariably  are,  the  greatest  darkness  as  to 
the  future  state  of  man,  the  deepest  degradation  of  women, 
and  the  most  entire  neglect  of  the  poor.  The  system  of 
other  religions  is  a  system  of  vice ; — all  manner  of 
iniquity  is  sanctioned  by  them.  "  If  the  light  that  is  in 
them  be  darkness,  how  great  must  that  darkness  be  !  " 
But  the  Bible  denounces  the  most  awful  threatenings 
against  all  wickedness  ;  and  if  Christians  sin,  they  sin  not 
according  to  their  religion,  but  in  spite  of  it.  Just  in  pro- 
portion as  the  Bible  is  received  and  followed,  just  so  much 
are  the  fruits  of  righteousness  yielded  by  men  to  the  glory 
of  God  and  the  good  of  their  fellow-men. 

These  things,  with  much  more  that  might  be  said,  unite 
with  one  voice  to  testify  that  the  Bible  conies  from  God. 

You  may,  however,  each  for  yourselves,  put  the  import- 
ant fact,  that  the  Bible  is  the  word  of  God,  to  this  very 
plain  and  simple  test  or  trial.  Read  it  daily,  with  much 
prayer  to  God,  to  teach  you  and  sanctify  you  by  it,  and 
see  if  you  do  not  become  quite  another  man,  born  again 
through  the  word,  and  sanctified  by  the  truth.  God  thus 
gives  men  experimental  conviction  of  its  power.  Again, 
the  Bible  is  full  of  gracious  promises,  to  be  fulfilled  even 
in  this  life,  to  those  who  use  the  appointed  means.  Try 
the  truth  of  those  promises.  God  says,  "  Ask,  and  you 
shall  have  ;  seek,  and  you  shall  find. — He  will  give  his 
Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask."  Perseveringly  pray  for 
the  Holy  Spirit,  and  you  shall  receive  that  Spirit,  obtain 
the  gift  of  saving  faith,  and  have  inward  witness  that  the 
Bible  is  the  word  of  God. 

Should  you  be  tempted,  on  opening  the  Bible,  to  imagine 
that  God  would  speak  to  you  in  some  other  way,  or  tell 
you  some  other  thing  than  he  has  told  you,  look  at  the 


THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 


5 


visible  creation  ;  look  at  what  you  see  with  your  eyes  and 
hear  witli  your  ears,  and  witness  all  around  you — are  there 
not  difficulties  in  natural  things  and  in  the  daily  course  of 
the  world,  similar  to  those  which  you  find  in  revealed 
things  ?  Do  you  not  frequently  meet  witii  things  for 
which  you  cannot  account,  and  yet  must  believe  ?  Have 
you  not  often  to  acquire  your  knowledge  in  ways  that  you 
think  at  first  difficult,  and  which  are  contrary  to  your 
preconceived  ideas  ?  Shall  the  little  child  set  up  its  own 
notions  against  the  experienced  parent  1  Trust  God,  till 
you  have,  with  deep  reverence  and  in  prayer,  and  according 
to  his  directions,  diligently  searched  his  word.  You  will, 
after  doing  this,  obtain  complete  conviction  that  there  are 
no  real  difficulties  to  hinder  your  believing  the  all-import- 
ant fact  that  the  Bible  is  the  word  of  God  ;  that  there  is 
the  fullest  satisfaction  of  mind  in  receiving  it  as  such,  and 
in  forming  all  your  principles  and  regulating  all  your  con- 
duct by  this  blessed  and  holy  volume. 

Meditation, 

0  wonderful  Book  1  the  Book  of  books  !  does  God,  the 
great  Creator  and  Loi'd  of  all,  condescend  to  speak  to  me  ! 
Is  this  his  own  word  which  he  sends  to  shew  me  Himself, 
the  work  which  he  would  have  me  to  do,  and  the  way  to 
attain  his  favour  !  With  what  diligence,  with  what  rever- 
ence, should  I  read  its  .sacred  pages  !  How  thankful  ought 
I  to  be  for  so  rich  a  blessing  !  What  an  unspeakable  ad- 
vantage to  have  such  a  means  of  knowing  my  God,  such 
an  infallible  test  of  all  human  sentiments,  and  such  a  sure 
discovery  to  me  of  every  thing  that  is  most  important  for 
me  to  know !  All  glory,  all  ])raise  be  to  my  heavenly 
Father,  for  this  lamp  to  my  feet,  and  this  light  to  my 
path  ! 

2.  WHAT  THE  BIBLE  CONTAINS. 

It  is  divided  into  two  parts  ;  the  Old  and  the  New  Tes- 
tament (2  Cor.  iii.  6 — 14).    They  are  called  Old  and  New, 


f) 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


for  the  purpose  of  distinguishinp;  the  time  when  those 
parts  were  written  ;  the  Old  being  written  before  the 
coming  of  Clirist,  and  the  New  since  his  death.  Testament 
means  a  will  ;  and  viewed  as  a  will,  the  Bible  is  full  of 
gifts  and  blessings  confirmed  to  believers  by  the  death  of 
the  Testator. 

There  are  thirty-nine  books  in  the  Old  Testament,  and 
twenty-seven  in  the  New.  They  were  written  at  different 
times,  by  different  inspired  writers.  Both  Testaments  be- 
gin with  historical  books,  and  then  follow  doctrinal  and 
practical  books,  and  both  conclude  with  prophecies. 

The  first  five  books  were  chiefly  written  by  Moses.  They 
are  the  most  ancient  books  in  the  woi'ld,  being  written 
above  three  thousand  years  since.  The  names  of  the 
writers  of  some  of  the  historical  books  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment are  not  certainly  known.  Most  of  the  other  books 
were  written  by  the  persons  whose  names  they  bear,  or  to 
whom  they  are  usually  ascribed,  and  the  whole  sacred 
volume  was  completed  about  one  thousand  seven  hundred 
years  since.  The  Old  Testament  was  written  in  Hebrew, 
the  language  of  the  Jews,  and  the  New  Testament  in 
Greek,  the  most  generally  known  language  when  it  was 
written.  There  have  been  from  a  very  early  age  transla- 
tions of  the  Bible  into  other  languages,  and  this  has  greatly 
helped  to  preserve  the  whole  sacred  volume  in  its  purity 
to  this  day.  Our  present  English  Bible  was  translated  out 
of  the  Hebrew  and  Greek  languages  in  the  reign  of  our 
king  James  the  First,  and  was  published  in  1611.  The 
Bible,  in  all  or  in  part,  has  been  translated  into  nearly  one 
hundred  and  sixty  different  languages,  the  chief  known 
languages  of  the  earth. 

The  Bible  contains  the  history  of  man,  from  bis  creation 
to  the  end  of  the  world,  either  by  relating  what  is  past,  or 
by  foretelling  what  is  to  come. 

It  begins  with  the  creation  of  our  first  parents  in  the 
likeness  of  God,  holy  and  happy — their  fall  from  that 
happy  state — the  promise  of  the  Redeemer — the  sinfulness 
of  the  human  race— their  destruction  by  the  deluge — the 


THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 


7 


preservation  of  Noah,  and  the  new  world's  again  falling 
away— the  confusion  of  their  tongues,  and  their  being 
scattered  abroad  over  the  earth. 

It  then  shews  the  call  of  Abraham,  and  the  separation 
of  a  peculiar  race  as  the  depositories  of  the  true  religion, 
and  the  people  from  whom  the  Redeemer  was  to  come. 
The  history  of  this  people  takes  up  the  largest  part  of  the 
history  of  the  Old  Testament  ;  and  in  their  experience  we 
have  a  full  developeiiient  of  what  man  is,  and  what  God 
is — what  our  duties  are,  and  what  our  hopes  are — what 
God  will  do  for  those  who  seek  him,  and  how  he  will 
punish  tliose  who  disobey  him. 

But  chiefly  there  is  set  before  us  continually  the  great 
truths  of  our  redemption,  and  full  accounts  of  the  person, 
life,  character,  sufferings,  and  glory  of  the  divine  Re- 
deemer. 

The  New  Testament  continues  this  glorious  theme  ; 
containing  four  histories  of  the  life  of  our  Saviour,  in  the 
four  gospels, — an  account  of  the  outpouring  of  the  divine 
Spirit,  and  the  commencement  of  the  Christian  church,  in 
the  Acts  of  the  Apostles.  Various  epistles,  or  letters, 
written  by  them  to  the  churches  newly  formed,  or  to 
private  Christians,  follow  ;  and  it  closes  with  the  pro- 
phetic history  of  the  church,  in  the  book  of  Revelation, 
to  the  end  of  the  world. 

Tliere  is  in  the  Bible  the  greatest  variety,  in  the  narrow- 
est possible  compass.  In  one  volume  we  have  the  history 
of  all  ages,  the  most  interesting  lives  of  the  best  of  men  ; 
the  most  beautiful  strains  of  poetry  and  imagination  ;  the 
most  touching  letters  ;  the  clearest  display  of  our  duties 
to  the  one  living  and  true  God,  and  to  all  our  fellow- 
creatures  ;  and  the  full  discovery  of  the  way  of  redemp- 
tion from  all  our  present  sorrows,  and  of  the  path  to  end- 
less life  and  glory.  The  veil  that  hangs  over  futurity  is 
rent  by  his  hand,  who  has  all  futurity  in  his  direction  ; 
and,  we  read  in  plain  and  simple  language  all  those  events 
which  are  to  happen  that  it  most  concerns  us  to  know. 
What  a  book  is  the  Bible  !    Study  it  incessantly. 


8 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Meditation. 

Almighty  Father  !  how  can  I  enough  admire  thy  loving- 
kindness  and  condescension  in  thyself  providing  such  a 
book  for  me !  Oh  what  darkness  would  have  covered  the 
earth,  and  would  have  covered  my  soul,  but  for  this  book  ! 
Without  it  I  should  not  have  known  how  I  came  here,  or 
where  I  was  going,  or  who  thou  art,  or  how  I  can  please 
thee,  and  escape  misery,  or  be  happy  for  ever.  But  all 
this  is  made  plain  to  me  now.  And  how  can  I  praise  thee 
enough  for  the  precious  volume  !  Oh  give  me  a  sacred 
thirst  after  its  blessed  truths  !  May  they  be  very  sweet  to 
my  taste,  and  the  very  joy  of  my  heart ! 

3.  THE  BIBLE  SHEWS  US  WHAT  IS  TO  TAKE  PLACE. 

Does  the  Bible  shew  us  things  to  come  ?  It  does  in- 
deed ;  and  God  has  given  us  the  greatest  proof  that  all 
he  has  foretold,  as  yet  to  come,  will  take  place,  by  having 
already  brought  to  pass  very  many  things  which  he  also 
foretold.  Such  are — the  state  of  all  the  world  in  the  ac- 
count of  the  three  sons  of  Noah,  the  fall  of  the  city  of 
Babylon,  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  the  dispersion  of 
the  Jews  over  the  world,  the  rise  of  four  great  monarchies, 
or  universal  empires.  These  things  have  been  fulfilled  in 
the  sight  of  all  men  long  since  they  were  predicted  ;  and 
we  are  thus  assured  that  all  that  God  has  foretold  respect- 
ing things  to  come  will  also  be  fulfilled. 

What  has  he,  then,  foretold  as  yet  to  take  place  1  To  us 
INDIVIDUALLY  there  is  much  that  is  most  important. 

See  what  he  says  respecting  death  : — "  The  dust  shall 
return  to  the  earth  as  it  was,  and  the  spirit  to  God  who 
gave  it."  Eccles.  xii.  7.  The  body  put  in  the  grave  is  not 
the  end  of  man;  it  is  the  beginning  of  another  state  of 
existence  ;  it  is  our  going  alone  by  ourselves  before  the 
great  God  who  made  us.  Have  you  thought  of  this  ?  are 
you  prepared  for  it  ? 


THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES, 


9 


Then  judgment  is  to  take  place.  It  is  thus  foretold  : — 
"  God  shall  bring  every  work  into  judgment,  with  every 
seci^t  thing,  whether  it  be  good  or  whether  it  be  evil  : 
every  one  of  us  shall  give  account  of  himself  to  God."  Has 
this  been  much  in  your  mind  ?  Has  your  great  aim 
been  this,  that  you  may  be  accepted  of  the  Lord  in  that 
day,  and  have  confidence  and  "  boldness  in  the  day  of 
judgment  !  "  1  John  iv.  17. 

Then  comes  HELL  for  the  wicked.  "  The  wicked  shall 
be  turned  into  liell,  and  all  the  nations  that  forget  God. 
There  the  worm  dieth  not,  and  the  fire  is  not  quenched." 
Have  you  ever  thought  duly  of  the  horrors  of  God's  wrath, 
and  everlasting  punishment,  and  dwelling  for  ever  with  the 
wicked  ?  Are  you  flying  from  the  wrath  to  come  ? 

There  is  also  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  in  all  its 
boundless  bliss  and  unutterable  glories,  for  the  righteous  ; 
there  nothing  that  defiles,  or  works  abomination,  or  makes 
a  lie,  shall  ever  enter  ;  are  you  thirsting  after  these  glories, 
and  seeking  them  first  of  all  1 

To  the  WHOLE  WORLD  there  is  much  also  of  vast  im- 
portance. 

The  FALLING  AWAY  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHURCH,  and 

the  punishment  of  those  who  have  fallen  away  (to  take 
place  at  the  coming  of  Christ),  are  clearly  foretold,  2  Thess. 
i.  ii.,  the  Epistle  of  Jude,  and  the  2nd  Epistle  of  Peter,  and 
Revelations  xvii.  xviii.  xix. 

The  CONVERSION  and  restoration  of  the  Jews  to  their 
own  land,  and  the  blessed  effect  of  this  on  the  whole  earth, 
are  foretold  in  very  many  passages  of  God's  word.  See 
for  instance  Jer.  xxxii.  and  xxxiii.,  Ezek.  xxxvi.  and 
xxxvii.,  and  Romans  xi. 

The  COMING  AGAIN  OF  Christ,  in  power  and  great 
glory,  is  also  plainly  foretold.  Acts  i.  11.  Matt.  xxv. 
1  Thess.  iv.  16,  17.  2  Peter  iii.  3 — 14  ;  and  many  other 
places.  No  one  can  tell  how  soon  this  may  take  place  ; 
but  there  is  great  danger  in  saying,  and  acting  on  the  idea, 
"  My  Lord  delayeth  his  coming,"  (Matt.  xxiv.  48.  2  Peter 
iii.  3,)  and  a  very  great  duty  and  blessedness  to  be  wait- 


10 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  I 


ing,  watching,  and  ready  for  his  return  (see  Matt.  xxiv. 
and  XXV.  Luke  xvii.  and  xxi.)  ;  for  his  coming  will 
take  the  world  quite  by  surprise,  as  when  a  thief  comes  at 
night.  Persons  who  are  living  together  in  the  same  occu- 
pation and  the  same  house,  and  even  sleeping  in  the  same 
bed,  shall  then  be  separated  as  wide  as  the  outer  darkness 
and  the  everlasting  glory.  Oh,  be  ye  ready,  "  for,  in 
such  an  hour  as  you  think  not,  the  Son  of  Man  cometh." 

The  RESURRECTION  of  the  dead  saints,  and  the  change 
of  the  living  saints,  at  the  coming  of  Christ,  are  again  and 
again  foretold  ;  see  1  Cor.  xv.  1  Thess.  iv.  16,  17.  Luke 
xiv.  14.    Phil.  iii.  n. 

Our  Lord  Christ  will  also  establish  his  glorious  king- 
dom, and  Satan  shall  be  bound  for  a  thousand  years.  Rev. 
XX,  For  the  coming  of  this  kingdom  we  daily  pray,  "  Thy 
kingdom  come,  thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in  hea- 
ven." This  has  yet  also  to  take  place  ;  and  oh  how  blessed 
for  our  world  that  day,  when  "  the  kingdoms  of  this  world 
shall  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  his  Christ." 
Rev.  xi,  16.  See  Dan.  ii.  44  ;  vii.  13,  14.  In  this  king- 
dom his  saints  shall  reign  with  him.  Dan.  vii.  18,  27. 
Rev.  v.  10,  and  xx.    Luke  xix,  11—27.    2  Tim.  ii.  12. 

The  future  loosing  of  Satan,  and  the  final  and  general 
judgment  of  all  the  dead,  with  the  everlasting  punishment 
of  the  wicked  in  the  lake  of  fire,  and  the  everlasting  glory 
of  the  blessed  in  the  new  heavens  and  the  new  earth,  closes 
the  wonderful  accounts  of  what  God  has  foretold  as  still 
to  be  done  in  our  world. 

Meditation. 

O  ray  soul,  what  great  things  has  God  foreshewn  me  as 
yet  to  take  place, — things  in  which  I  have  the  deepest  per- 
sonal interest,  and  which  call  for  my  direct  and  immediate 
attention  !  These  are  things  which  should  controul  every 
thought  I  think,  every  word  I  speak,  and  every  act  I  do. 
Am  I  to  pass  through  all  these  scenes,  and  can  I  now 
escape  God's  wrath  and  attain  his  glory  !  Oh,  may  his 
Spirit  shew  me  things  to  come,  that  my  soul  may  be 


THE   HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 


11 


strengthened  to  resist  the  temptations  of  the  world,  the 
flesh,  and  tlie  devil,  and  to  press  toward  the  mark  for  the 
prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God,  "  if  by  any  means  I  may 
attain  to  the  resurrection  of  the  dead." 

4.  HOW  THE  BIBLE  IS  TO  BE  READ. 

The  Bible  is  a  large  book,  and  consists  of  many  parts. 
You  may  ask,  where  should  I  begin,  and  how  should  I 
carry  it  on  1 

It  is  not  necessary  to  read  the  whole  Bible  in  a  limited 
time.  There  are  some  people  on  the  earth  that  have  not 
got  the  whole  Bible.  Some  have  only  got  the  New  Testa- 
ment, some  only  one  of  the  gospels,  and  some  only  one  or 
two  of  the  other  books  of  Scripture  ;  but  a  very  small 
part  of  God's  word  may  be  blessed  to  our  everlasting 
good.  Through  God's  mercy  the  whole  Bible  is  printed 
in  our  language.  It  is  read  in  every  parish  church  in 
our  country  every  Sunday  in  the  year,  and  a  great  deal 
of  scriptural  knowledge  has  been  diffused  over  our  coun- 
try, so  that  very  few  need  be  altogether  ignorant  of  the 
Bible. 

But  we  will  suppose  that  you  have  never  read  it  in  pri- 
vate before,  and  I  will  explain  what  may  be  the  best  way 
of  beginning.  There  are  some  books  so  very  profitable 
and  instructive,  and  so  full  of  the  great  truths  which  we 
■want  to  know,  that  it  may  be  very  useful  to  begin  with 
them — such  as  the  following  : — In  the  Old  Testament, 
Genesis  and  Exodus,  Deuteronomy,  Psalms,  and  Isaiah  ; 
and  in  the  New  Testament,  Matthew,  John,  the  Acts  of 
the  Apostles,  and  the  Epistles  to  the  Romans  and  the 
Ephesians.  You  may  begin  a  first  easy  course  by  going 
carefully  through  these  books,  reading  a  chapter  morning 
and  evening. 

When  you  have  gone  through  these  books  once,  then 
begin  again  with  the  whole  Bible,  reading  one  chapter  from 
one  Testament  in  the  morning,  and  another  from  the  other 
Testament  in  the  evening. 


12 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


But  the  mere  reading  of  the  Bible,  as  we  would  any 
other  book,  for  amusement  or  information,  or  to  get  a 
knowledge  of  its  contents,  is  far  short  of  the  design  for 
which  the  Scriptures  were  given.  The  chief  design  of  the 
Bible  is  to  "  make  us  wise  unto  salvation,  through  faith  in 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ;  and  all  Scripture  is  given  by  in- 
spiration of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  is  profitable  for  doctrine, 
for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction  in  righteousness, 
that  the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  thoroughly  furnished 
unto  all  good  works." 

Now  in  order  to  the  obtaining  of  this  end,  the  Bible  must 
be  read  in  a  different  way  to  other  books  ;  and  I  will  give 
you  here  two  or  three  plain  rules. 

1.  Read  it  with  constant  prayer  to  God.  See  in 
the  119th  Psalm  how  much  David  prayed  :  "  Lord,  teach 
me  thy  statutes.  Give  me  understanding,  that  I  may 
know  thy  word."  God  has  promised  to  teach  us,  and  we 
must  obtain  this  promised  instruction  through  fervent 
prayer — prayer  before  we  begin,  prayer  while  reading,  and 
prayer  when  it  is  over.  The  Holy  Spirit  is  the  only  effec- 
tual teacher. 

2.  Read  it  with  much  meditation, — thinking  very 
patiently  and  deliberately  over  each  verse  ;  What  does  this 
teach  me  1  How  can  I  attain  this  promise  ?  escape  this 
threatening  ?  fulfil  this  duty?  be  warned  by  this  sad  history  ? 
or  be  animated  by  this  blessed  example  ? 

3.  Search  the  Scriptures  to  discover  their  tes- 
timony TO  Christ  Jesus.  The  Bible  is  the  word  of 
Christ ;  its  leading  design  is  to  show  us  plainly  and  fully 
that  gracious  Redeemer,  who  having  redeemed  us  from  sin 
and  ruin,  invites  us  to  receive  his  great  salvation,  and  by 
whom,  through  the  Spirit,  we  sinners  can  corae  with  free- 
dom to  God,  our  most  holy,  merciful,  and  compassionate 
Father,  who  gave  his  Son  to  die  for  us. 

4.  Read  the  Bible  to  be  made  holy  by  it. — Our 
Saviour  prays  for  his  disciples,  "  Sanctify  them  through 
thy  truth  :  thy  word  is  truth."  It  is  God's  great  instru- 
ment or  means  for  making  us  holy,  or  separate  from  the 


THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 


13 


world,  aud  devoted  to  God.  Holy  desires  and  feelings, 
and  holy  practice,  are  given  to  us  in  the  humble,  diligent, 
and  devout  study  of  the  Bible.  Since  without  holiness  we 
shall  never  see  God,  or  dwell  with  him,  let  us  diligently 
read  the  Bible,  to  attain  to  holiness. 

Meditation, 

What  an  important  work  have  I  daily  to  fulfil  in  read- 
ing and  meditating  upon  God's  word,  and  how  profitable 
is  it  !  God  has  testified  of  the  truly  happy  man,  "  His 
delight  is  in  the  law  of  the  Lord,  and  in  his  law  doth  he 
meditate  day  and  night :  and  he  shall  be  like  a  tree  planted 
by  the  rivers  of  water,  that  bringeth  forth  fruit  in  his  season. 
His  leaf  also  shall  not  wither  ;  and  whatsoever  he  doeth,  it 
shall  prosper."  Oh  that  this  may  be  my  character  and  my 
blessedness  !  I  shall  find  many  things  to  hinder  me  in 
this  work,  but  let  me  resolutely,  firmly,  and  steadily  set 
aside  everything  that  would  interfere  with  the  daily,  pa- 
tient reading  of  God's  blessed  word. 


5.  FAMILY  READING,    AND  CONVERSATION  ABOUT  THE 
BIBLE. 

Parents  and  heads  of  families  have  a  great  duty  to  fulfil 
with  reference  to  the  Bible.  The  name  *  Family  Bible  '  is 
a  pleasing  sound,  and  a  very  appropriate  title  for  this  holy 
book.  It  teaches  us  that  the  Bible  is  to  be  the  great  guide 
of  the  family,  and  the  supreme  rule  of  every  Christian's 
house.  The  directions  of  the  Bible  are  very  clear  and  full 
on  this  duty  :  "  Hear,  therefore,  0  Israel  !  the  Lord  our 
God  is  one  Lord,  and  thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God 
with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy 
might.  And  these  words  which  I  command  thee  this  day 
shall  be  in  thine  heart ;  and  thou  shalt  teach  them  dili- 
gently unto  thy  children,  and  shalt  talk  of  them  when  thou 
sittest  in  thine  house,  and  when  thou  walkest  by  the  way, 
and  when  thou  liest  down,  and  when  thou  risest  up.  And 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


thou  shalt  bind  them  for  a  sign  upon  thine  hand,  and  they 
shall  be  as  frontlets  between  thine  eyes." 

Take  up,  then,  Christian  parents,  Joshua's  resolution — 
"  As  for  me  and  my  house,  we  will  serve  the  Lord."  En- 
deavour to  fulfil  these  directions  every  day,  by  reading  a 
part  of  God's  word  to  your  family,  and  in  prayer  with 
them,  seeking  his  grace  and  blessing.  It  is  the  only  way 
to  have  your  children  dutiful  and  obedient,  and  such  as 
will  give  you  comfort  when  they  are  grownup.  No  wonder 
so  many  parents'  hearts  are  broken  by  the  continued  mis- 
conduct of  their  children,  when  they  so  grievously  neglect 
God's  directions  in  their  education. 

3feditatio7i. 

Blessed,  0  my  soul !  is  that  family  of  which  God  is  the 
head  and  Father,  and  which  is  governed  according  to  the 
rules  of  the  gospel  of  Glirist.  Surely  it  is  a  protected  and 
well-cultivated  seed-plot,  or  nursery,  where  plants  are  train- 
ing for  a  more  beautiful  garden,  and  to  which  they  shall 
soon  be  transplanted,  to  flourish  for  ever  in  the  paradise 
above.  God  make  my  family  thus  blessed,  and  let  not  one 
be  wanting  in  the  day  when  he  counts  up  his  children  I 
God  help  me  to  live  before  them  so  as  may  lead  to  this 
blessed  end,  and  let  family  reading,  family  prayer,  and  fa- 
mily singing,  every  morning  and  every  evening,  and  the 
daily  course  of  our  conversation,  mark  my  home  as  one  of 
the  dwellings  of  the  righteous  !  ' 

6.  PRAYERS. 

1.  Prayer  before  reading. — 0  Lord,  help  me  to 
read  thine  own  word  with  reverence,  deep  humility,  and 
an  earnest  desire  to  do  thy  will.  Remove  all  darkness 
from  my  understanding,  and  all  perverseness  from  my 
will,  and  enable  me  to  receive  thy  truth  with  the  simpli- 
city and  teachableness  of  a  child.  Send  thy  blessed  Spirit 
to  guide  me  into  all  truth,  to  show  to  me  the  things  of 
Christ,  and  to  sanctify  me  by  his  truth.    Give  me  grace 


THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 


1.5 


now  and  ever  patiently  to  search,  truly  to  believe,  deeply 
to  meditate  upon,  heartily  to  love,  and  unreservedly  to  obey 
thy  word,  that  I  ma}'  be  made  wise  unto  salvation,  through 
faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

2.  Prayer  after  reading. — Almighty  Father,  my 
God  and  my  Saviour,  I  thank  thee  for  the  light  of  divine 
truth  ;  may  it  shine  more  and  more  in  my  heart  unto  the 
perfect  day.  Grant  unto  me  an  assured  faith  in  my  Re- 
deemer, and  write  thy  laws  in  my  heart.  Let  no  subtilty 
nor  malice  of  the  devil ;  let  not  the  world,  nor  any  inward 
vain  imaginations,  proud  reasonings,  or  corrupt  affections, 
prevail  to  turn«me  from  thy  ways  ;  but  let  the  power  of 
the  Holy  Ghost  make  me  to  triumph  over  all  temptation. 
Strengthen  me  heartily  to  embrace  thy  truth,  stedfastly 
to  hold  fast  the  word  of  life,  and  faithfully  to  do  thy  will. 
0  Lojd  !  direct  my  heart  into  the  love  of  God,  and  into 
the  patient  waiting  for  Christ.  Hear  me,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord. 

A  Prayer  to  he  formed  and  moulded  according  to  God's  Holy 
Word. 

Almighty  Father  !  my  Maker,  my  Redeemer,  my  Sanc- 
tiher  !  thy  word  is  truth,  and  it  will  stand  for  ever ;  and 
thou  hast  given  that  word  that  I  may  know  and  do  thy 
will :  but  my  mind  is  dark,  and  my  heart  is  evil  :  give 
me,  then,  I  beseech  thee,  thy  all-sufficient  help,  to  en- 
lighten my  understanding,  purify  my  heart,  and  mould 
and  fashion  my  whole  inward  man  to  be  conformed  to  thy 
will. 

0  grant  unto  me  such  grace  that  thy  threatenings  may 
make  me  willing  and  ol)edient,  and  give  with  every  exam- 
ple, whether  of  warning  or  imitation,  its  right  and  holy 
influence  on  my  daily  conduct. 

And  more  especially  grant  me  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord, 
that  beholding  in  tliy  word,  as  in  a  glass,  the  glory  of  thy 
Son  Jesus  Christ,  1  may  be  changed  into  the  same  image, 
from  glory  to  glory. 

Thus  may  I  be  wholly  delivered  and  moulded  into  the 


16 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


form  of  doctrine  which  thou  hast  revealed  for  my  salva- 
tion, and  my  whole  life  be  formed  and  governed,  not  by 
the  opinions  of  man,  whose  breath  is  in  his  nostrils,  but 
by  thy  woi-d.  0  my  God,  who  liveth  and  abideth  for 
ever  !  Hear  me,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  Christ,  my  only 
Saviour. 


7.  USEFUL  TABLES. 


The  following  tables  are  added  to  assist  you  in  finding 
places  in  the  Bible  which  you  may  wish  to  read  : — 


1.  Tabic  of  PsaXins. 

1.  Prayers.— ¥or  pardon  of  sin— 6,  25,  38,  51,  130 
Penitential— 6,  32,  38,  51,  102,  130,  143 

When  prevented  attending  public  worship — 42,  43,  63,  84 
When  dejected  under  afflictions — 13,  22,  69,  77,  88,  143  , 
Asking  lielp  of  God— 7,  17,  26,  35  ' 
Expressing  trust  in  God  in  afflictions— 3,  16,  27,  31,  54,  56,  57,  61,  62,  71, 

86 

Under  affliction  or  persecution— 44,  60,  74,  79,  80,  83,  89,  94, 102, 129,  137 
In  trouble— 4,  5,  11,  28,  41,  55,  59,  64,  79,  109,  120,  140,  141,  142 
Intercession— 20,  67,  122,  132,  134 

2.  Thavksdivings  for  Mercies.— To  particular  persons— 9,  18,  22,  30,  34,  40, 
75,  103,  108,'  116,  118,  138,  144 

To  the  Israelites— 4C,  48,  65,  66,  68,  76,  81,  85,  98, 105,  124, 126,  129,  135, 
136,  149 

3.  Pmliiis  of  Praise  and  Adoration  displayiwj  God's  Attrihuies. — His  good- 
ness and  mercy,  and  care  of  good  men— 23,  34,  36,  91,  100,  103,  107,  117,  121, 
145,  147 

His  power,  majesty,  glory,  and  other  attributes— 8, 19, 24,  29,  33,  47,  50,  65, 
66,  76,  77,  93,  96,  97,  99,  103,  111,  113.  114,  115,  134.  139,  147,  148,  150 

4.  Irtstrv/rtive  Psabns. — The  characters  of  good  and  bad  men,  their  happi- 
ness and  misery— 1,  5,  7,  9,  10,  11,  12,  14,  17,  24,  25,  32,  34,  36,  37,  50,  52,  53, 
58,  73.  75,  82,  84,  91,  92.  94,  101,  112,  119,  121,  125,  127,  128,  131,  133 

The  excellency  of  God's  law— 19,  119 
Vanity  of  human  life— 39,  49,  90 

5.  Prophetical  Psabm.—2,  16,  22,  40,  45,  68,  72,  87,  110,  118 

6.  Historical  Psalnts.—7S,  105,  106,  135,  136. 


THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES.  17 


2.  OUK  SAVIOUR'S  PARABLES. 


Candle  under  a  bushel 
Single  and  evil  eye 
On  serving  two  masters 
Importunate  friend 
<;oiid  and  corrupt  tree 
Blind  leading  the  blind 
Two  builders 

Children  in  the  market-place 

Two  debtors 

House  divided  against  itself 

Strong  man  overcome 

The  relapsing  demoniac 

Rii  h  man  laying  up  treasures 

Sei  vants  waiting  for  their  Lord 

Tlie  barren  fig-tree 

The  sower 

Tares  and  wheat 

Casting  seed  into  the  ground 

The  mustard  seed 

The  leaven 

The  hidden  treasure 

Pearl  of  great  price 

Not  gathering  of  every  kind 

Good  householder  . 

New  cloth  and  old  garment 

New  wine  and  old  bottles  . 

Old  wine  better  than  new 

Unmerciful  servant  and  debtor 

The  shepherd  and  sheep 

Vine  and  branches 

Good  Samaritan 

Guest  choosing  the  highest  seat 

The  great  supper 

Proposal  for  building  a  tower 

Of  a  king  about  to  make  war 

Salt  and  its  savour 

Lost  sheep 

Lost  piece  of  silver 

Prodigal  son 

Unjust  Steward 

Rich  man  and  Lazarus 

Master  and  servant 

Judge  and  widow 

Pharisee  and  publican 

Labourers  in  the  vineyard 

The  ten  pounds 

Two  sons  commanded  to  work 

Wicked  husbandmen 

The  Wedding  garment 

Fig-tree  putting  forth  leaves 

Watching  for  the  tliief 

Man  tkking  a  far  journey  . 

Faithful  and  unfaithful  servant 

The  ten  virgins 

The  talents 

The  sheep  and  goats 


Matt. 

Mark. 

- 

LUK6. 

Jonii. 

C.  V. 

C.  V. 

C.  V. 

C  V. 

5  15 

4  21 

11  33 

* 

6  22 

11  34 

6  24 

10  13 

11  5 

7  16 

6  43 

15  14 

6  39 

7  24 

6  47 

11  16 

7  31 

7  Al 
/  41 

12  25 

3  25 

11  17 

12  29 

3  27 

11  21 

12  43 

11  24 

12  16 

12  35 

13  6 

13  3 

4  3 

8  5 

13  24 

4  26 

13  31 

4  30 

lo  1(5 

13  33 

13  20 

13  44 

13  45 

13  47 

13  52 

9  16 

2  21 

5  36 

9  17 

2  22 

5  37 

5  39 

18  23 

in  1 

iu  -I 

1  1 

10  30 



14  7 

— 

— 

— 

14  16 

— 

14  28 

— 

14  31 

— 

5  13 

9  49 

14  34 

18  12 

15  4 

15  8 

15  11 

16  1 

16  19 

17  7 

18  1 
18  9 

20  1 

19  12 

21  2o 

21  33 

12~  1 

20  9 

22  2 

24  32 

13'~28 

21  29 

24  43 

12  39 

13~34 

24  45 

12  42 

25  1 

25  14 

25  31 

18  CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


3.  OUR  SAVIOUR'S  MIRACLES. 


Matt. 

Mark. 

Luk 

John. 

c. 

v. 

C.  V. 

c. 

V. 

C.  V. 

Water  turned  into  wine 

— 

— 

2  1 

•Miracles  done  at  tlie  Passover 

— 

2  23 

Nobleman's  son  restored  . 

— 

4  46 

Jesus  preserves  his  life 

— 

4 

28 

— 

Miraculous  draught  of  fishes 

— 

5 

1 

21  6 

An  unclean  spirit  cast  out 

1  23 

4 

33 

— 

Peter  s  wife's  mother  raised 

8 

14 

1  29 

4 

38 

— 

Many  devils  cast  out,  and  sick  healed 

8 

16 

1  32 

4 

40 

— 

Diseases  healed,  and  devils  cast  out 

4 

23 

1  39 

— 

A  leper  cleansed  .... 

8 

2 

1  40 

5 

12 

— 

Multitudes  come  to  be  healed 

— ■ 

5 

15 

— 

The  power  of  the  Lord  healing 

_ 

— 

5 

17 

— 

A  paralytic  healed 

9 

2 

2  3 

2 

18 

— 

An  infirm  man  healed  at  Bethesda 

— 

5  2 

Withered  hand  restored 

12 

9 

3  I 

6 

6 

— 

Numbers  healed,  who  follow  Jesus 

12 

15 

3  10 

— 

Unclean  spirits  confess  him 

3  11 

— 

A  multitude  healed  of  diseases 

— 

6 

17 

— 

Virtue  goes  out  of  Jesus 

— 

6 

19 

— 

Centurion's  servant  healed 

8 

5 

— 

7 

2 

— 

Widow's  son  raised  from  the  dead 

— 

7 

11 

— 

Many  cured  of  infirmities,  &c. 

— 

7 

21 

— 

Every  sickness  and  disease  healed 

9 

35 

— 

— 

Mary  Magdalene  healed 

— 

8 

1 

— 

A  demoniac  healed 

12 

22 

— 

11 

14 

— 

Tempest  stilled  at  sea 

8 

23 

4  36 

8 

22 

— 

The  legion  cast  out  into  swine 

8 

2S 

5  1 

8 

26 

— 

Jairus'  daughter  raised 

9 

18 

5  22 

8 

41 

— 

Issue  of  blood  healed 

9 

2U 

5  25 

8 

43 

— 

Two  blind  men  healed 

9 

27 

— 

— 

A  dumb  spirit  cast  out 

9 

32 

— 

A  few  sick  nealed 

6  5 

— 

The  sick  healed  .... 

14 

14 

— 

9 

n 

6  2 

Five  thousand  fed  .... 

14 

15 

6  35 

9 

12 

6  5 

Jesus  walks  on  the  sea 

14 

22 

6  45 

6  16 

Peter  enabled  to  walk  on  water  . 

14 

28 

— 

— 

Wind  ceases  on  Jesus'  word 

14 

32 

6  51 

— 

Ship  brought  to  laud 

15 

21 

— 

6  21 

The  sick  healed  by  touching 

6  54 

— 

Daughter  healed  .... 

14 

35 

7  24 

— 

A  deaf  and  dumb  man  restored 

7  32 

■ — 

Great  multitudes  healed  . 

15 

30 

— 

— 

Four  thousand  fed  .... 

15 

32 

8  1 

— 

A  blind  man  restored 

S  22 

— 

Lunatic  child  healed 

17 

1 1 

9  17 

9 

38 

— 

Tribute  money  .... 

17 

24 

— 

— 

Jesus  preserves  his  lire 

— 

8  59 

Blind  beggar  healed  by  washing  . 

- 

— 

9  1 

A  woman  cured  of  an  infirmity  . 

13 

11 

A  man  cured  of  dropsy       .          .  . 

14 

2 

Ten  lepers  cleansed 

17 

12 

Lazai  us  rai>ed  from  the  dead 

11  I 

Great  multitu  les  healed 

19 

2 

Blind  Bartimeus  restored  . 

20 

30 

10  46 

18 

35 

The  blind  aud  lame  healed 

21 

14 

Fig-tree  withers  away 

21 

18 

11  12 

High-priest's  servant  healed 

22 

50 

THE  HOLY  SCRIPTURES. 


19 


4.  REFERENCE  TO  PASSAGES  IN  THE  BIBLE  ON  VARIOUS  PRAC- 
TICAL SUBJECTS. 


Adoption,  John  i.  13.    Gal.  iii.  26 ; 

iv.  5,  6-    1  John  iii.  1—3 
Afflictions,  Job.  Rom.  v.    Heb.  xii 
Alms,  Psalm  .\li.  Matt.  xxv.  31,  &c. 

2  Cor.  ix 

Angels,  Heb.  i.    Rev.  v.    Luke  xv. 
Luke  1 

Atonement,  Isaiah  Uii.     2  Cor.  v. 
Heb.  ix 

Baptism,  Matt,  xxviii.  Rom.  vi 
Calling,  1  Thess.  ii.  12.   2  Tim.  i.  9 
Charity  (or  love),  1  Cor.  xiii 
Chastity,  1  Tliess.  iv.  3.  Gen.  xxxix 
Children,  Deut.  vi.  Epii.  vi.  Col.  iii 
Christ -all  the  Bible  full  of  him, 

Luke  xxiv.  44 
Church,  Acts  ii.  47.    Rom.  xii.  5 
Coming  again  of  Christ,  Acts  i.  11. 

Heb.  ix.  28.   Titus  ii.  13.  Luke 

xvii.  21 

CommandmcDts,  Ten,    E.Kod.  xx. 
Deut.  V 

 ,  Two,  Mark  xii 

Consolation,  Isaiah  Ixi.     2  Cor.  i. 

2  Thess.  ii.  16,  17 
Conversion,  Luke  xv.  Ezekiel  xviii. 

Mati.  xviii 
Covenant,  Jer.  xxxi.  32.    Heb.  viii 
Creation,  Gen.  i.  2.  John  i.  Heb.  i. 

Psalm  xix 
Heath,  Gen.  iii.  IS.    Rom.  v.  I2. 

1  Cor.  xv 
Delude,  Gen.  vi.  to  viii 
Devil,  Gen.  iii.   Matt.  iv.  Epb.  i 
Drunkenness,  Prov.  xxviii.  29—35. 

Isaiah  V.  1 1 .    I  Cor.  vi.  10 
Election,  Deut.  vii.  Rom.  ix.  Eph,  i 
Enemies.  Matt.  v.  Rotn.  xii 
Kaith,  Heb.  xi.    Roni.  iv 
Fall  of  Man,  Gen.  iii.  Ps.  li 
Fasting,  Matt.  vi.    Joel  ii 
Fear  of  God,  Ps.  cxii.  3,  4 
Forgiveness,    Psalm    xxxii.  cxxx. 

Isaiah  iv.    Rom.  iii 
God,  Exod.  xxxiv.  Isaiah  xi.  Psalm 

ciii.  civ.  cxlv.  cxxxix 
Gospel,  Luke  ii.     Rom.  i.  16.  &c. 

Eph.  ii 

Grace,  Titus  ii.    Eph.  i.  ii.    Gal.  v 
Heart,  Jer.  xvii.  9.      Matt.  xv. 
Psalm  li 

Heaven,  1  Peter  i.  4.     Rev.  xxi. 
xxii 

Hell,  Mark  ix.  Judc 
Holy  Ghost,  John  xiv.    Gal.  v 
Hope,  Rom.  XV.  Heb.  vi.  James  iv 
C 


Humility,  Phil  ii.    Psalm  cxxxi 
Husband,  Prov.  v.  Eph.  v.  Col.  iii 
Intercession  of  Christ,  Rom.  viii. 
Heb.  vii 

Judgment,  Eccles.   xii,    John  v. 

Matt,  xxv.    Rev.  xx 
Justification,  Romans  iii.  iv.  v.  Gal. 

ii.  iii,    James  ii 
Kingdom  of  God,  Daniel  ii.  vii. 

Gospels  generally 
Knowledge.  Prov,  iv.  8,  9 
Law,  E.xod.  xx.    Romans  vii.  8 
Life  eternal,  John  iii,  16;  xvii,  3 
Lord's  Prayer,  Matt,  vi.  10 
Lord's  Supper,  Luke  xxii,   1  Cor,  x, 

xi 

Love  of  God,  John  iii,  Romans  v 
Love  to  God,  Deut  vi.  Matt,  xxii 
Love  of  Christ,  John  xv,    Eph.  iii, 

Romans  viii 
Love  to  Christ,  1  Peter  i 
Love  to  mei!— Epistles  of  John 
Lying,  Eph.  iv.    Col,  iii 
Marriage,  Gen,  xxiv.    Eph.  v 
Master,  Gen.  xviii.  19.  Lev.  xxv.  35 
Ministers,  1  Cor,  iv.    2  Cor.  v 
Original  Sin,  Rom.  v.  Eph,  li.  1  Cor, 

XV.  21 

Paradise,  Gen,  ii.    2  Cor.  xii 
Parents,  Deut.  vi.    Epli,  vi 
Patience,  Job.    James  i,  3 
Perseverance,  Heb,  iii.  .\ 
Poor,  Psalm  .xlvi.  Ixxii.    James  ii 
Praise,  Psalm  xcvi.  ciii.  cxlv.  &c. 
Prayer,  1  Tim,  ii.    Psalms.   Dan.  ix 
Predestination,    Romans  viii.  ix. 
Eph.  i 

Pride,  Isaiah  ii.    Luke  xviii 
Prosperity,  James  v.    Psalm  xxx 
Providence,  Psalm  Ixv.  cvi.  Matt, 
vi 

Reconciliation,  Romans  v.  2  Cor.  v. 
Matt,  v 

Redemption,  Eph,  i.   Col.  i.   Rev,  v 
Regeneration,  John  i.  iii,    Titus  iii, 
2  Cor.  V 

Repentance,  Psalm  li.  Ezekiel  xxxvi . 

Isaiah  Iv 
Resignation,  Job  i.    Matt,  xxvi 
Resurrection,  1  Cor,  xv.  1  Thess.  iv. 

Rev.  XX 

Riches,  James  v.    Luke  xii.  16 
Sabbath  Nehemiah  x,    Isaiah  Iviii. 

Mark  ii 
Sacrifice,  Hebrews  ix.  x 
Sanctification,  1  Thess.  v.  23 
2 


20 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Scriptures,  Psalms  xix.  cxix 
Self  denial,  Matt.  xvi.    Luke  ix 
Sickness,  John  xi.    Isaiah  xxxviii 
Sin,  Romans  i.  ii.  iii.    1  John  i 
Singing.   Psalm  xcv.     Ephes.  v. 


Temptation,  Matt.  iv.    1  Cor.  x 
Trinity,  John  xiv.  xvi.  Matt,  xxviii. 


19.    2  Cor.  xiii.  14 
Watchfulness,  Lukexxi.  Matt.  xxiv. 


XXV.    1  Thess.  v 
Wisrtom,  Proverbs  viii.  9.  James  iii. 


Col.  iii 

Submission,  Psalm  xxxi.x.  James  iv. 


Col.  ii 

Wives,  Proverbs  xxxi.    Ephes.  v. 


1  Peter  v 

Temperance,  Prov.  xxiii.  1  Thess.  v. 


1  Peter  iii 
World,  1  John  ii.  5. 


Romans  xiii 


In  this  Table  the  verses  are,  generally,  purposely  omitted,  that  the  Reader 
may  search  the  whole  chapter  for  the  subject  he  wishes  to  find. 


Let  the  Reader,  by  all  means,  if  possible,  get  a  Bible  with  marginal 
references.  These  shew  you  other  parts  of  the  Bible,  which  either 
explain,  or  are  similar  to  the  part  you  are  reading,  and  they  form  of 
themselves  a  most  useful  commentary.  It  would  be  profitable  for  the 
children  in  a  family  to  employ  some  time  in  the  winter  evening  in  finding 
out  these  references,  and  reading  them  to  each  other,  or  to  their  parents. 
Thus,  on  the  first  verse  in  the  first  chapter  of  Genesis,  you  will  find  a 
reference  to  the  first,  second,  and  third  verses  of  the  first  chapter  of 
John's  Gospel,  and  to  the  first  chapter  and  tenth  verse  of  the  Epistle  to 
the  Hebrews  :  these  references  shew  you  that  God  made  all  things  by  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  There  are  also  other  translations  of  the  Hebrew  some- 
times put  in  the  margin  of  the  Bible,  and  this  will  help  you  in  under- 
standing what  God  has  revealed  for  our  use. 


BIBLE  WITH  REFERENCES. 


THE  GREAT  GOD. 


21 


CHAPTER  II. 

ON  THE  GREAT  GOD. 

1.  General  Remarks— 2.  Where  the  knowledge  of  God  may  be  gained— 3. 
What  God  is  not — 4.  What  God  is— 3.  The  names  of  Gud— 6.  The  display 
of  God's  perfections  in  Christ  Jesus — 7.  The  harmony  of  God's  perfections  in 
Christ — 8.  God  our  salvation — 9.  The  way  of  access  unto  God — 10.  Commu- 
nion with  God — 11.  Passages  of  Scripture  on  the  Attributes. 

1.  GENERAL  REMARKS. 

The  most  important  discovery  of  the  Bible  is  to  show  to 
us  God,  our  Maker.  With  this  the  sacred  volume  opens. 
"  In  the  beginning  God  created  the  heaven  and  the  eartli. 
— And  God  said,  Let  us  make  man  in  our  own  image,  after 
our  likeness. — So  God  created  man  in  his  own  image,  in 
the  image  of  God  created  he  man,  male  and  female  created 
he  them." 

Our  Creator  must  have  a  nearer  interest  in  his  creatures 
and  we  in  liim,  than  any  of  our  fellow  created  beings  can 
possibly  have  in  us,  or  we  can  have  in  them.  To  know 
him,  therefore,  to  gain  his  favour,  and  to  be  blessed  by  him, 
is  tlie  greatest  glory,  interest,  and  hai)piness  for  time  and 
for  eternity,  of  each  human  being.  "  This  is  life  eternal, 
that  they  might  know  thee  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus 
Christ  whom  thou  hast  sent." 

God  only  can  describe  himself.  In  considering  every 
thing  relating  to  the  great  God,  our  principal  light  must 
be  derived  from  the  discoveries  which  he  has  made  of  him- 


22 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


self  in  his  word.  This  chapter  of  the  Family  Guide  will, 
therefore,  necessarily,  chiefly  be  gathered  from  the  holy 
Scriptures. 

The  object  now  before  us,  then,  is  to  give  you  some 
knowledge  of  the  great  God  who  made  you  ;  but  as  our 
Lord  has  told  us  "  no  man  knoweth  the  Son  but  the  Father, 
neither  knoweth  any  man  the  Father  save  the  Son,  and  he 
to  whom  the  Son  will  reveal  him,"  let  us  all  look  up  to 
our  divine  Redeemer  to  teach  us. 

Prayer. 

0  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  only-begotten  Son  of  God,  who 
art  in  the  bosom  of  tlie  Father,  that  glorious  Being,  whom 
no  man  hath  seen  at  any  time,  nor  can  see,  we  earnestly 
beseech  thee  to  reveal  to  us  thy  divine  Father  ;  manifest 
his  name  to  us  and  shew  us  his  gloi'y.  Let  the  liglit  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  shine  in  our  hearts,  in  thy 
face,  0  Jesus !  to  whom,  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy 
Ghost,  be  all  honour  and  glory,  now  and  for  ever.  Amen. 

2.   WHERE  THE  KNOWLEDGE  OF  GOU  MAY  BE  GAINED. 

The  creation  around  us  declares  God  in  his  works. 
Every  thing  within  us,  and  about  us,  speaks  of  him. 
Though  men  are  by  nature  alienated  from  him,  and  "  none 
saith,  Where  is  God,  my  Maker  1  "  yet  is  the  whole  world 
full  of  Him. 

The  very  frame  of  each  man,  every  member  of  his  body, 
every  sense  and  faculty,  every  power  of  his  mind  and  every 
feeling  of  his  heart,  plainly  declares  to  man,  "  I  am  fear- 
fully and  wonderfully  made  "  by  the  great  God.  The  in- 
numerable creatures  that  people  the  air  and  the  earth,  the 
sea  and  the  waters,  declare  that  the  Lord  is  :  "  that  he  is 
good  to  all,  and  that  his  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his 
works." 

All  the  beauties  of  the  natural  world,  the  ten  thousand 
productions  of  the  earth,  the  light  which  we  enjoy,  the  air 
which  we  breathe,  the  earth  beneath,  as  well  as  the  hea- 


THE  GREAT  GOD. 


vens  above,  "  declare  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  and  the  firma- 
ment sheweth  his  handy -work.  That  which  may  be  known 
of  God  is  manifest  in  them,  for  God  hath  shewed  it  unto 
them.  For  the  invisible  things  of  him  from  the  creation 
of  the  world  are  clearly  seen,  being  understood  by  things 
that  are  made,  even  his  eternal  power  and  Godhead." 
While  "  coarseness  and  clumsiness  mar  all  the  works  of 
man,"  the  least  of  God's  works  are  full  of  wonder,  and 
manifest  infinite  wisdom,  power,  and  benevolence. 

The  Providence  of  God  tells  also  continually  of  his 
being  and  goodness.  He  gives  all  their  meat  in  due  season. 
"  He  sends  forth  his  Spirit,  and  they  are  created  ;  he  takes 
away  their  breath,  they  die  and  return  to  the  earth.  Thou 
openest  thine  hand,  and  satisfiest  the  desire  of  every  living 
thing.  The  Lord  is  righteous  in  all  his  ways,  and  holy  in 
all  his  works.  The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  all  them  that  call 
upon  him.  He  will  fulfil  the  desire  of  them  that  fear  him  ; 
he  also  will  hear  their  cry,  and  save  them."  The  same 
providence  is  seen  in  the  punishing  of  the  wicked.  "  The 
Lord  is  known  by  the  judgment  which  he  executeth.  The 
wicked  is  snared  in  the  work  of  his  own  hands."  These 
things  leave  men  "  without  "excuse  "  who  live  as  "  without 
God  in  the  world."  But  such  is  our  blindness  and  cor- 
ruption through  sin,  that  this  is  our  universal  natural 
character. 

God  has  therefore,  in  the  riches  of  his  love,  given  another 
discovery  of  himself  in  his  inspired  word,  or  the  Bible 
written  by  men  under  the  teaching  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  A 
peculiar  nation  was  set  apart  to  be  the  keepers  of  that 
word.  "  He  shewed  his  word  unto  Jacob,  his  statutes 
and  his  judgments  unto  Israel."  Their  great  privilege 
was,  that  "  unto  them  were  committed  the  oracles  of  God." 
The  language  of  creation  and  providence,  though  continu- 
ally manifested  and  intelligible  to  all,  is  still  only  a  silent 
shewing  forth  of  knowledge.  There  is  no  speech,  there 
are  no  words  ;  their  voice  is  not  heard.  But  "  the  law  of 
the  Lord  is  perfect,  converting  the  soul  ;  the  testimony  of 
the  Lord  is  sure,  making  wise  the  simple."    Here  we  have 


24 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


a  clearer,  fuller,  and  more  glorious  sight  of  Goil  in  the  dis- 
play of  his  loving-kindness  and  truth,  and  all  his  glory  ;  he 
has  "  magnified  his  word." 

In  his  INCARNATE  WORD,  that  is,  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  "  the  Word  of  God,  made  flesh,"  and  dwelling 
among  us,  we  have  the  brightest  of  all  displays  of  God  to 
man.  "  His  glory  is  the  glory  of  the  only-begotten  of  the 
Father,  full  of  grace  and  truth  ;  "  a  Son  is  tlie  representa- 
tive of  his  Father.  Jesus  Christ  is  "  the  brightness  of  his  " 
Father's  "  glory,  the  express  image  of  his  person."  In 
answer  to  the  request,  "  Lord,  shew  us  the  Father,"  he  re- 
plies, "  He  that  hath  seen  me  hath  seen  the  Father."  He 
is  "  the  image  of  the  invisible  God."  And  by  him  light 
shines  upon  us  out  of  tlie  darkness  with  which  the  being 
and  glory  of  God  are  otherwise  shrouded.  For  "  God  who 
commanded  the  light  to  sliine  out  of  darkness,  hath  shined 
in  our  hearts,  to  give  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory 
of  God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ." 

The  Holy  Ghost  again,  is  the  great  Teacher  who  makes 
all  these  clear  to  us.  "  The  natural  man  discerneth  not 
the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  for  they  are  foolishness 
unto  him  ;"  but  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  is  one  with  the 
Father  and  the  Son,  reveals  these  things  to  us.  "  The 
things  of  God  knowetli  no  man  but  the  Spirit  of  God  ; 
now  we  have  received,  not  the  spirit  of  the  world,  but  the 
Spirit  which  is  of  God,  that  we  might  know  the  things  that 
are  freely  given  to  us  of  God."  It  is  his  inward  teaching 
that  guides  us  into  all  truth.  He  gives  "  the  riches  of  the 
full  assurance  of  understanding  to  the  acknowledgment  of 
the  mystery  of  God,  and  of  the  Father,  and  of  Christ, 
wherein  are  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  know- 
ledge." Our  Lord  says  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  "  He  shall 
glorify  me,  for  he  shall  receive  of  mine,  and  shall  shew  it 
unto  you."    Ask  for  this  Spirit,  and  you  shall  receive  it. 

O  let  us  seek  to  walk  in  this  glorious  light  and  liberty 
of  the  children  of  God  ;  "  where  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is, 
tliere  is  liberty  ;  and  we  all  with  open  face  beholding,  as 
in  a  glass,  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  are  changed  into  the  same 


THE  GREAT  GOD. 


2o 


image  from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord." 

Meditation. 

My  God  and  my  Father !  in  how  many  ways  hast  thou 
revealed  thyself  unto  me  I  but  O  how  dark  has  been  my 
mind,  that  though  in  thee  I  live  and  move  and  have  my 
being,  and  thou  walkest  upon  the  wings  of  the  wind,  and 
hast  thy  path  in  the  sea,  and  the  heavens  declare  thy  glory, 
and  all  thy  creatures  speak  of  thee,  I  have  yet  disregarded 
this  all-surrounding  and  universal  testimony  to  thy  pre- 
sence, and  have  too  much  lived  as  if  there  were  no  God  in 
the  world. 

But  what  thanks  do  I  owe  thee  for  giving  to  me  thy 
blessed  word,  and  for  that  wonderful  love  which  led  thee 
to  give  thine  only-begotten  Son,  and  to  promise  thy  Holy 
Spirit,  that  I  might  attain  that  knowledge  of  thyself  which 
is  infinitely  necessary  to  me  !  O  that  I  may  gratefully 
receive  and  believingly  use  these  inestimable  advantages, 
and  so  become  wise  unto  salvation  !  0  that  I  may  see 
thee  in  every  thing,  and  daily  be  increasing  in  the  know- 
ledge of  thee,  my  God  ! 

3.  WUAT  GOD  is  NOT. 

God  is  wholly  uncreated  by  any  other.  His  descriit- 
tion  is,  "  I  am  tlie  Lord  that  maketh  all  things."  Isaiah 
xliv.  24.  He  is  not  made  nor  created,  but  the  original 
Creator  of  all.  God  is  invisible.  He  is  a  Spiritual  Being, 
"  dwelling  in  the  light  which  no  man  can  approach  unto, 
whom  no  man  hath  seen,  nor  can  see  :— to  whom  be  honour 
and  power  everlasting,  world  without  end."  God  never 
CHANGES.  Man  is  feeble  and  uncertain,  but  God  "  is  the 
same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever.  God  is  not  a  man 
that  he  should  lie,  nor  the  son  of  man  that  he  should  re- 
pent. Hath  he  said,  and  shall  he  not  do  it  ?  or  hath  he 
spoken,  and  shall  he  not  make  it  good  ?  "  Num.  xxiii.  1!). 
0  blessed  truth  ;  the  happiness  of  all  creation  depends 


26 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


uijon  it.  "  Every  good  gift  and  every  perfect  gift  is  from 
above,  and  cometh  down  from  the  Father  of  lights,  with 
whom  is  no  variableness,  neither  shadow  of  turning." 
James  i.  17.  God  is  also  unsearchable.  The  highest 
archangel  must  have  an  imperfect  knowledge  of  the  great 
God.  "  Canst  thou  by  searching  find  out  God  1  canst  thou 
find  out  the  Almighty  to  perfection  ?"  Job  xi.  7.  "  Touch- 
ing the  Almighty,  we  cannot  find  him  out."  Job  xxxviii. 
9.  He  dwells  "  in  the  thick  darkness,"  too  deep  to  be 
penetrated,  as  well  as  "  in  the  light,"  too  bright  to  be  en- 
dured. 

God  is  NOT  BOUNDED,  Or  to  be  comprehended  ;  he  is  in- 
finite and  incomprehensible.  "  Great  is  the  Lord,  his 
greatness  is  unsearchable."  Psalm  cxlv.  3.  As  it  is  impos- 
sible for  any  creature  to  escape  his  presence,  so  the  world 
cannot  contain  him,  nor  the  understanding  of  the  creature 
fully  conceive  him.  "  Behold  the  heavens  and  heaven  of 
heavens  cannot  contain  thee."  1  Kings  viii.  27.  "  He 
filleth  all  in  all."  Eph.  i.  23.  It  is  as  high  as  heaven, 
what  canst  thou  do  ?  deeper  than  hell,  what  canst  thou 
know  ?  The  measui-e  thereof  is  longer  than  the  earth, 
and  broader  than  the  sea."  Job  xi.  9.  He  has  no  equal. 
"  Who  in  the  heavens  can  be  compared  unto  the  Lord  ? 
who  among  the  sons  of  the  mighty  can  be  likened  unto 
our  God  ?. "  Psalm  Isxxix.  6.  "  To  whom  will  ye  liken 
God  1  or  what  likeness  will  ye  compare  unto  him  ?  "  Isa. 
xl.  18. 

He  never  can  be  resisted.  "  He  doth  according  to 
his  will  in  the  army  of  heaven,  and  among  the  inhabitants 
of  the  earth,  and  none  can  stay  his  hand,  or  say  unto  him, 
What  doest  thou  ?  "  Dan.  iv.  85.  "  Whatsoever  the  Lord 
pleased,  that  did  he  in  heaven,  and  in  earth,  and  in  the 
seas  and  all  deep  places."  Psalm  cxxxv.  6. 

Meditation. 

How  glorious  a  God  is  our  God  !  if  we  take  away  every 
defect  that  belongs  to  the  creature,  and  add  every  conceiv- 
able perfection,  we  still  fall  infinitely  short  of  comprehend- 


THE  GREAT  GOD. 


27 


ing  God.  "  0  the  depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom 
and  knowledge  of  God  !  how  unsearchable  are  his  judg- 
ments, and  his  ways  past  finding  out  !  For  who  hath 
known  the  mind  of  the  Lord,  or  who  hath  been  his  coun- 
sellor ?  or  who  hath  first  given  to  him,  and  it  sliall  be  re- 
compensed unto  him  again  ?  For  of  him,  and  through 
him,  and  to  him,  are  all  things  ;  to  whom  be  glory  for 
ever."  May  self-abasement,  reverence,  admiration,  de- 
light, and  holy  love,  ever  fill  my  soul  in  contemplating  the 
great  God  !  Amen. 

4.  WHAT  GOD  is. 

The  Bible,  and  that  alone,  tells  us  ;  and  let  us  notice 
some  plain  declarations.  "  The  Lord  our  God  is  one 
Lord."  "  God  is  a  Spirit,"  and  we  are  to  "  worship  him 
in  spirit  and  in  truth."  "  God  is  light,  and  in  him  is  no 
darkness  at  all,"  and  we  are  to  "  walk  in  the  light  as  he  is 
in  the  light."  "  God  is  love,  and  he  tliat  dwelleth  in  love 
dwc'lleth  in  God,  and  God  in  him."  "  The  Lord  is  good, 
a  stronghold  in  the  day  of  trouble,  and  he  knoweth  them 
that  trust  in  him."  Kahum  i.  7.  God  is  true,  a  God  of 
truth,  and  without  iniquity,  just  and  right  is  he."  Deut. 
xxxii.  4,  "  The  truth  of  the  Lord  endureth  for  ever. 
Praise  ye  the  Lord."  Psalm  cxvii.  He  is  altogether  holy. 
"  The  Lord  our  God  is  holy."  Psalm  xcix.  9.  "  Be  ye 
holy,  for  I  am  holy."  1  Pet.  i.  16.  The  Lord  is  righ- 
teous in  ALL  his  ways.  Psalm  cxlv.  17.  "The  Lord  thy 
God  is  a  merciful  God."  Deut.  iv.  31.  He  is  the  blessed, 
or  happy  one.  Mark  xiv.  61. 

There  are  perfections  peculiar  and  incommunciable  to 
the  creature.  God  is  eternal.  "  From  everlasting  to 
everlasting  thou  art  God."  Ps.  xc.  2.  "  Thou,  O  Lord, 
art  our  Father,  our  Redeemer  ;  thy  name  is  from  everlast- 
ing." Isa.  Ixiii.  16.  "I  am  Alpha  and  Omega  (which  are 
the  first  and  last  letters  of  the  Greek  al[)iiabet)  the  begin- 
ning and  the  ending,  saith  the  Lord,  which  is,  and  which 
was,  and  which  is  to  come."  Rev.  i.  8.    "The  high  and 


28 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


lofty  One  that  inliabiteth  eternity."  God  is  everywhere 
PRESENT  ;  "  Do  not  I  fill  heaven  and  eai-th  ?  saith  the 
Lord."  Jer.  xxiii.  24.  God  has  all  power  :  "  With 
God  nothing  shall  be  impossible."  Luke  i.  37.  "  Behold, 
I  am  the  Lord,  the  God  of  all  flesh  ;  is  there  any  thing  too 
hard  for  me  ?  "  Jer.  xxxii.  27.  He  is  the  greatest  of 
all  ;  "  Thou,  Lord,  art  most  high  for  evermore.''  Ps.  xcii. 
8.  He  KNOWS  ALL  THINGS  ;  "  Hell  is  naked  before  him, 
and  destruction  hath  no  covering."  Job  xxvi.  6.  "  The 
darkness  and  the  light  to  him  are  both  alike."  Ps.  cxxxix. 
12.  "  His  understanding  is  infinite."  Ps.  cxlvLi.  5.  He 
FORESEES  ALL  THINGS  ;  "  I  am  God,  and  there  is  none 
else.  I  am  God,  and  there  is  none  like  me,  declaring  the 
end  from  the  beginning,  and  from  ancient  times  the  things 
that  are  not  yet  done,  saying,  My  counsel  shall  stand,  and 
I  will  do  all  my  pleasure."  Isa.  xlvi.  9,  10.  He  discerns 
EVERY  THOUGHT,  WORD,  and  WORK  ;  "  The  Lord  knoweth 
the  thoughts  of  man."  Psalm  xciv.  11.  "I  the  Lord 
search  the  heart  and  try  the  reins,  to  give  every  man  ac- 
cording to  his  ways,  and  according  to  the  fruit  of  his  do- 
ings." Jer.  xvii.  10.  If  you  cannot  bear  all  this  glory, 
look  at  God  in  Jesus,  and  his  reflected  beams  shall  fill  you 
with  delight. 

Prayer  of  St.  Pavl. 

"  0  Thou,  the  God  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  • 
of  glory,  give  unto  me  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  revelation 
in  the  knowledge  of  him,  that  the  ej'es  of  m3-  understand- 
ing being  enlightened,  I  may  know  what  is  the  hope  of  his 
calling,  and  what  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  his  inheritance 
in  the  saints — and  what  is  the  exceeding  greatness  of  his 
power  to  usward  who  believe."    Amen  and  Amen. 

5.  THE  NAMES  OF  GOD. 

Various  names  are  given  in  the  Scriptures  to  the  great 
I  God.    Some  of  the  Hebrew  words  describing  his  name  are 
thought  to  mean  as  follows  : — Jehovah,  the  eternal,  self- 


THE  GREAT  GOD. 


20 


existing  God  ;  he  which  is,  and  which  was,  and  which  is  to 
come.  Shaddai,  the  supplier  of  all  sufficiency.  Eloimn, 
the  author  of  eternal  life,  as  set  forth  in  the  everlasting- 
covenant.  Sahaoth,  the  mighty  champion,  the  Redeemer 
of  his  people,  and  the  conqueror  of  all  his  foes.  Adonai, 
one  having  lordsliip  or  dominion  over  all  creatures.  A 
full  revelation  of  the  name  of  God  was  given,  when,  in 
answer  to  the  request  of  Moses,  "  Shew  me  thy  glory," 
God  said,  "  I  will  proclaim  the  name  of  Jehovah  hefore 
thee."  And  we  read  afterwards,  "  The  Lord  passed  by  be- 
fore him,  and  proclaimed,  the  Lord,  the  Lord  God,  merciful  » 
and  gracious,  long-suffering,  and  abundant  in  goodness 
and  truth,  keeping  mercy  for  thousands,  forgiving  iniquity, 
and  transgression,  and  sin,  and  that  will  by  no  means  clear 
the  guilty  ;  visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the 
children,  and  upon  the  children's  children,  unto  the  third 
and  to  the  fourth  generation."  Other  names  were  given 
to  Moses.  When  he  asked  what  the  name  of  God  was, 
"  God  said  unto  Moses,  I  AM  that  I  AM  ;  and  he  said 
unto  me,  Thou  shalt  say  unto  the  children  of  Israel,  I  AM 
hath  sent  me  unto  you."  This  sets  before  us  an  eternal, 
incomprehensible,  unchangeable  Being  ;  the  self-existent 
God.  "  I  am  Jehovah,  I  change  not."  Mai.  iii.  G.  To 
this  is  added  the  follovving  title  :  God  said  moreover  unto 
Moses,  Thus  shalt  thou  sa^'  unto  the  children  of  Israel  : 
The  Lord  God  of  your  fathers,  the  God  of  Abraham,  the 
God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob,  hath  sent  me  unto 
you  ;  this  is  my  name  for  ever,  and  this  is  my  memorial 
unto  all  generations."  All  these  names  belong  to  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who  gives  to  us  the  realizing  view  of  God, 
and  is  the  memorial  of  the  Lord,  the  manifestation  of  the 
invisible  God. 

God  has  graciously  engaged  to  be  the  God  of  Abraham 
and  all  his  seed  ;  and,  for  ever  adored  be  his  grace  to  us 
sinners  of  the  Gentiles,  this  includes  all  true  Christians, 
who,  though  not  sprung  from  Abraham  after  the  flesh,  arc 
counted  through  Clirist,  as  the  seed  of  Abraham. 

Lastly,  in  the  form  of  Christian  baptism  we  have  a  yet 


30 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


more  distinct  revelation  of  the  name  of  God,  "  Baptising 
tliem  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost."  Here  is  the  one  God,  in  three  persons, 
distinctly  set  before  us  as  the  object  of  worship  and  ser- 
vice, and  engaged  to  bless  us.  0  glorious  truth  !  Father, 
Son,  and  Holy  Ghost,  one  name,  one  God,  our  God  for 
ever  and  ever ! 

Meditation. 

Shew  me  also  thy  glory,  O  God,  my  Father  !  in  every 
name  by  which  thou  hast  revealed  thyself,  and  give  me  to 
know  that  thou  art  my  God,  and  early  to  seek  thee,  and  to 
thirst  after  thee,  and  never  to  be  content  while  at  a  dis- 
tance from  thee.  Surely  thou  art  the  chief  and  only  good 
of  thy  creatures  ;  0  give  me  then  the  unspeakable  bliss  of 
having  the  One  Good  One  (Luke  xviii.  19)  for  my  portion 
and  happiness  for  ever  ! 

6.  THE  DISPLAY  OF  GOD's  PERFECTIONS  IN  CHRIST  JESUS. 

We  have  seen  that  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  "  the 
brightness  of  his  Father's  glory  ;  "  let  us  endeavour  then 
to  discover  something  of  that  glory  "  in  the  face  of  Jesus 
Christ." 

All  the  perfections  of  God  are  indeed  thus  displayed  ;  but 
we  will  select  some. 

Christ  is  the  wisdoji  of  God.  Wisdom  is  the  know- 
ledge and  right  comprehension  of  things,  distinguishing 
truth  from  error,  rejecting  evil  and  choosing  good.  God 
alone  is  infinite,  perfect,  and  infallible  wisdom.  But  Christ 
is  the  "  only  wise  God  our  Saviour."  Jude  25.  Our  Lord 
Christ  displayed  this  wisdom  in  creation  (John  i.  .3.  Prov. 
iii.  19),  and  in  providence  (Col.  i.  IG)  ;  but  it  is  in  the 
union  of  the  two  natures,  God  and  man,  and  in  the  whole 
work  of  his  mediation  for  sinners,  that  we  have  the  richest 
display  of  divine  wisdom  ;  "Great  is  the  mystery  of  god- 
liness— God  was  manifest  in  the  flesh.  O  the  treasures 
of  wisdom  and  knowledge "  which  this  has  already  dis- 


THE  GREAT  GOD. 


3] 


covered,  and  will  discover  through  eternity  !  for  they  are 
all  hid  in  him,  in  vvhom  "  dvvelleth  all  the  fulness  of  the 
Godhead  bodily."  Hence  "  the  principalities  and  powers 
in  heavenly  places  know  by  the  church  the  manifold  v\  is- 
dom  of  God."  Ephes.  iii.  10.  That  such  a  plan  should  have 
been  devised  when  our  salvation  seemed  hopeless  ;  that  it 
should  have  been  manifested  towards  such  rebellious  crea- 
tures ;  that  it  should  so  provide  for,  illustrate,  and  secure 
all  God's  glories  ;  that  through  eternity  we  shall  contem- 
plate it  with  ceaseless  and  growing  interest,  and  never- 
ending  joy  and  gratitude  :  0  the  depths  of  the  wisdom  of 
God,  in  our  salvation  by  Christ  Jesus  !  This  is  a  bound- 
less subject. 

Christ  is  also  the  power  or  God,  and  hence  he  is  often 
called  the  "  arm  of  the  Lord,"  and  "  his  right  hand," 
Psalm  cxviii.  1.5,  IG.  Isaiah  xl.  53.  This  again  was 
manifested  in  creation  and  providence,  Col.  i.  16,  17. 
Hebrews  i.  But  it  is  especially  in  his  greatest  weakness, 
his  death  on  the  ci'oss,  that  Christ  is  seen  to  be  the  power 
of  God.  His  sufferings  are  ever,  therefore,  connected  with 
his  glory.  (Read  Isaiah  liii.  Psalm  xxii.  Ilev.  v.)  He 
effected  that  which  all  created  beings  could  never  have 
effected,  "  the  reconciliation  "  of  the  fallen  world  to  the 
holy  God;  he,  in  his  utmost  weakness  on  the  cross, 
"  spoiled  principalities  and  powers,  and  made  a  shew  of 
them  openly,  triumphing  over  them  in  it."  This  power 
is  displayed  in  the  salvation  of  each  believer,  but  it  will 
have  its  fullest  manifestation  when  "  the  kingdoms  of  the 
world  are  become  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord  and  of  his 
Chi-ist,  and  he  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever."  Then  shall 
it  be  said,  "  Thou  hast  taken  to  thee  thy  great  power,  and 
hast  reigned."  Tremendous  will  be  the  power  exerted  in 
the  destruction  of  his  enemies  (Isaiah  Ixiii.  Rev.  vi.  and 
xix.) ;  "  and  0  the  glory  of  his  power,  when  he  shall 
come  to  be  glorified  in  his  saints  !  "  This  display  of  his 
power  is  rapidly  hastening  on,  and  is  even  now  at  hand. 
"  Be  ye  also  ready,  for  in  such  an  hour  as  ye  think  not, 
the  Son  of  Man  cometh." 


32 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Clivist  discovers  to  us  the  love  of  Gou.  Never,  never 
can  fallen  man  discover  in  any  other  way  so  distinctly,  so 
powerfully,  the  love  of  God.  When  this  love  is  revealed 
by  the  Holy  Ghost  to  the  heart,  it  shuts  out  fear  and 
doubts.  The  scriptures  always  speak  of  it  with  admira- 
tion. "  God  so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  only- 
begotten  Son.  God  commendeth  his  love  to  us,  in  that 
while  we  were  yet  sinners  Christ  died  for  us  ;  hereby  per- 
ceive we  the  love  of  God.  In  this  was  manifested  the  love 
of  God  towards  us.  Herein  is  love,  not  that  we  loved  God, 
but  that  he  loved  us,  and  sent  his  Son  to  be  the  propitia- 
tion for  our  sins."  0  the  amazing-  love  displayed  in  the 
whole  progress  of  a  sinner's  salvation,  from  its  first  be- 
ginning to  its  consummation  !  Reader,  desire  for  thyself 
above  all  things  to  know,  and  partake  of,  and  enjoy  this 
love,  now  and  through  all  eternity. 

Christ  discovers  to  us  the  righteousness  of  God. 
His  very  name  is,  "  the  Lord  our  Righteousness  ;  the  Sun 
of  Righteousness."  He  not  only  exhibited  the  only  perfect 
pattern  of  righteousness  that  this  world  ever  beheld  ;  but 
he  displays  the  divine  righteousness,  the  glory  that  unites 
all  the  divine  perfections,  by  his  incarnation,  obedience, 
sufferings,  death,  and  intercession.  How  awfully  strict 
must  be  the  divine  justice,  when  "  it  pleased  the  Lord," 
before  one  sinner  could  be  pardoned,  "  to  bruise  his  Son  ! 
he  hath  put  him  to  grief,  to  make  his  soul  an  offering  for 
sin." 

Meditation. 

Well  might  St.  Paul  say,  "  Christ  is  all  in  all."  Well 
might  he  count  "  all  things  but  loss  for  the  excellency  of 
the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  his  Lord."  As  no  other 
light  is  wanted  when  the  sun  shines  in  its  strength,  so 
when  Christ,  my  sun  of  righteousness,  shines  on  me,  I 
have  the  fullest  light  to  discern  the  glorious  God  that  this 
world  can  afford.  0  Jesus,  shine  more  and  more  into  my 
soul ! 


THE  GREAT  GOD. 


33 


(.  THE  HARMONY  OF  GOD's  PERFECTIONS  IN  CHRIST. 

In  the  display  of  God's  perfections  (as  set  before  us,  for 
instance,  in  Exod.  xxxiv.  G,  7.)  there  seems  an  irrecon- 
cilable contradiction.  If  God  "  visit  the  iniquity  of  the 
fathers  upon  the  children,"  how  can  he  "  keep  mercy  for 
thousands "  of  generations  ?  "  If  he  will  by  no  means 
clear  the  guilty,"  how  can  he  be  a  God  "  forgiving 
iniquity,  transgression,  and  sins  ?  "  These  questions  can 
only  be  answered  by  contemplating  Jesus  and  his  glorious 
gospel.  "  Surely  his  salvation  is  nigh  them  that  fear  him, 
that  glory  may  dwell  in  our  land.  Mercy  and  truth  are 
met  together  ;  righteousness  and  peace  have  kissed  each 
other."  The  mercy  of  his  promises,  and  the  truth  of  his 
threatenings,  are  all  realized  in  Jesus.  He,  by  his  obe- 
dience, has  for  us  sinners  obtained  all  the  promises,  and  by 
his  sufferings  for  us,  endured  the  penalties  of  the  divine 
wrath,  which  God  had  justly  threatened,  and  we  had  truly 
incurred.  The  righteousness  of  God  is  exhibited  in  the 
most  distinct  and  powerful  light  by  the  obedience  unto 
death  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  thereby  a  title  is  gained  for 
our  pardon,  peace,  and  everlasting  salvation.  Now  we  are 
"  justified  freely  tiirough  the  redemption  that  is  in  Jesus 
Christ,  whom  God  hatii  set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation 
through  faith  in  his  blood,  to  declare  his  righteousness  for 
the  remission  of  sins  that  are  past,  through  the  forbear- 
ance of  God  ;  to  declare,  I  say,  at  this  time,  his  righteous- 
ness, that  he  might  be  just,  and  the  justifier  of  him  which 
believeth  in  Jesus."  The  rainbow,  showing  you  the  light 
in  varied  but  united,  in  reflected  but  yet  distinct  rays  of 
glory,  surrounds  tiie  throne  of  God. 

In  tliis  harmony  of  divine  perfections  "  grace  "  trium- 
phantly "reigns,"  Rom.  v.  21.  0  amazing,  astounding 
grace  !  God's  co-equal  Son  becomes  man,  and  dies,  the 
just  for  the  unjust  !  The  infinite  dignity  and  excellence  of 
the  divine  nature  is  united  with  the  human  in  our  Imma- 
nuel.  The  word  which  "  was  with  God,  and  was  God,  was 


34 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


made  flesh  and  dwelt  among  us,"  and  suffered  and  died  for 
our  sins,  and  thus  infinite  honour  is  put  upon  the  law  of 
God,  and  infinite  satisfaction  made  to  the  divine  justice, 
and  all  "  to  the  praise  of  the  glory  of  his  grace,  wherein 
he  hath  made  us  accepted  in  the  Beloved."  Every  attri- 
bute of  God  is  harmonized,  displayed,  and  glorified  in  the 
salvation  of  him  that  believes  in  Jesus.  But,  0  fearful 
and  awful  thought  !  the  same  attributes  are  harmonized, 
displayed,  and  glorified  in  the  destruction  of  all  who  re- 
ject this  salvation,  and  rebel  against  God.  That  v^'hichis 
mercy  to  his  people,  is  destruction  to  his  enemies  ;  "  he 
overthrew  Pharaoli  and  his  host  in  the  Red  sea,  for  his 
mercy  endureth  for  ever  ;  he  smote  great  kings,  for  his 
mercy  endureth  for  ever."  Fly,  fly,  from  his  coming  wrath, 
to  Jesus,  the  only  ark  of  refuge  for  sinful  man. 

Meditation. 

"  A  just  God  and  a  Saviour  ! "  that  is,  the  God  that 
meets  all  my  fears  and  all  my  wants.  I  know  that  "  the 
Judge  of  all  the  earth  must  do  right ;"  but  I  know  that  if 
he  does  so,  witliout  a  Saviour  I  am  lost  and  undone  for 
ever.  But,  O  joyful  thought  !  this  just  God  is  become  my 
Saviour,  and  vvlien  "  I  confess"  my  sins,  "  he  is  just  and 
faithful  (as  well  as  merciful  and  gracious)  to  forgive  my 
sins,  and  to  cleanse  me  from  all  unrighteousness."  Lord, 
I  believe  ;  help  thou  my  unbelief. 

8.  GOD  OUR  SALVATION. 

How  wonderful  is  it,  but  not  less  true  than  wonderful, 
that  a  poor  sinner  may  say  to  the  great  God,  "  Behold, 
God  is  my  salvation,  I  will  trust,  and  not  be  afraid  !  " 
Isaiah  xii.  2. 

And  how  great  is  that  salvation  which  he  has  provided 
for  his  own  people,  in  all  its  parts  !  From  eternity  he 
thought  of  it,  purposed  and  planned  it  :  Jesus  was  ap- 
pointed to  be  their  Head,  Mediator,  and  complete  Saviour, 
without  any  reference  to  the  merits  and  obedience  of  man 


THE  GREAT  GOD. 


35 


as  to  the  cause  of  it.  "  God  hath  saved  us  and  called  us 
with  an  holy  calling,  not  according  to  our  works,  but 
according  to  his  own  purpose  and  grace,  which  was  given 
iu  Christ  Jesus  before  the  world  began."  And  that  this 
salvation  might  be  sure  to  all  the  heirs  of  promise,  they 
are  "  given  "  by  the  Father  to  Christ  "  out  of  the  world," 
to  be  kept  and  saved  by  him,  (see  John,  chapters  vi.  x. 
and  xvii.)  and  a  covenant  oath  is  made  for  their  security. 
Heb.  vi. 

This  salvation  is  entirely  of  God,  wholly  free.  "  By 
grace  ye  are  saved  through  faith,  and  that  not  of  your- 
selves, it  is  the  gift  of  God,  not  of  works,  lest  any  man 
should  boast."  But  does  not  this  tend  to  licentiousness  ; 
or  is  it  not  our  after-obedience  by  our  own  power  that 
maintains  it  ?  No,  neither  ;  "  The  grace  of  God,  which 
bringeth  salvation  hath  appeared  to  all  men,  teaching  us 
that,  denying  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  we  should 
live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly  in  this  present  world. 
For  we  are  his  workmanship,  created  in  Christ  Jesus  unto 
good  works,  which  God  hath  before  ordained  that  we 
should  walk  in  them." 

This  salvation  is  indeed  only  begun  now  ;  we  are  waiting 
for  its  completion.  It  will  not  be  realized  fully,  and  com- 
pleted, till  the  day  of  the  resurrection.  But  we  are  now 
"  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  faith  unto  salvation, 
ready  to  be  revealed  in  the  last  time,"  and  we  are  directed 
to  "  gird  up  the  loins  of  our  mind,  to  be  sober,  and  hope  to 
the  end,  for  the  grace  that  is  to  be  brought  unto  us  at  the 
revelation  of  Jesus  Christ."  0  tlie  glories  of  that  com- 
pleted salvation  !  "  When  Christ,  who  is  our  life,  shall 
appear,  then  shall  we  also  appear  with  him  in  glory.  We 
shall  be  like  him,  for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is  :  we  shall 
ever  be  with  the  Lord."  Till  that  full  day  of  glory  arrives, 
may  our  hearts  be  refreshed  by  much  meditation  upon  it  ! 
Some  of  the  last  thoughts  of  Henry  Martyn  when  sinking 
under  a  distressing  disease,  were  thus  expressed  in  his 
journal : — '  I  sat  in  the  orchard,  and  thought  with  sweet 
comfort  and  peace  of  my  God  ;  in  solitude — my  com- 

D  2 


36 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


panion,  my  friend,  and  comforter.  0  when  shall  time 
give  place  to  eternity  !  When  shall  appear  that  new 
heaven  and  earth  wherein  dwelleth  righteousness  !  There — 
there  shall  in  no  wise  enter  any  thing  that  defileth  :  none 
of  that  wickedness  that  has  made  men  worse  than  wild 
beasts — none  of  those  corruptions  that  add  still  more  to 
the  miseries  of  mortality,  shall  be  seen  or  heard  any  more.' 

Meditation. 

Surprising  indeed  it  is  !  full  of  joy  and  full  of  comfort 
is  the  thought,  that  God,  who  is  the  just  terror  of  the  sin- 
ner, may  now  be  viewed  by  the  sinner,  believing  in  Jesus, 
as  his  salvation  !  "  0  visit  me  with  thy  salvation,  satisfy 
me  with  tliy  mercy  earlj^,  that  I  may  see  the  good  of  thy 
chosen  !  "  Salvation  just  suits  all  my  miseries,  all  my  sin- 
fulness, and  all  my  necessities  ;  God,  my  salvation,  is  full 
rest,  complete  satisfaction,  and  boundless  joy  for  my 
troubled,  anxious,  disquieted  heart.  Let  me,  then,  realize 
and  enjoy  it  day  by  day. 

9.  THE  WAY  OF  ACCESS  UNTO  GOD. 

How  may  a  sinful  creature  come  near  to  God  ?  It  is 
one  of  the  most  important  of  questions,  and  the  answer 
in  the  Bible  is  very  clear.  Look  at  One  who  wears  our 
form  ;  he  is  in  the  bosom  of  the  eternal  Father,  his  elect 
in  whom  his  soul  delighteth.  He  is  our  Mediator  :  "  K 
any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus 
Christ  the  righteous,  and  he  is  the  propitiation  for  our 
sins,  and  not  for  oui-s  only,  but  also  for  the  sins  of  the 
whole  world."  He  is  "  the  Head  of  the  church,"  and  we 
are  "  members  of  his  body,  of  his  flesh,  and  of  his  bones." 
United  by  faith  to  him,  we  have  freedom  of  access  to  the 
Holy  God  :  yes,  "  boldness  (0  astonishing  word  !)  to  enter 
into  the  holiest  by  the  blood  of  Jesus."  This  is  the  "  new 
and  living  way  which  he  hath  consecrated  for  us  through 
the  veil,  that  is  to  say,  his  flesh." 

Come,  then,  by  Jesus,  by  him  only.    Come  in  any  other 


THE  GREAT  GOD. 


87 


way,  and  you  are  rejected  with  rigliteous  wrath.  Come  in 
this  way,  and  you  are  welcomed  witli  fatlierly  love.  It  is 
his  own  word.  "  No  man  cometh  unto  tlie  Father  but  by 
jue."  The  fierce  displeasure  of  God,  and  his  fiery  indigna- 
tion,  is  revealed  against  every  soul  of  man  that  doeth  evil. 
But  now,  for  a  season,  there  is  a  mercy-seat,  there  is  a 
High-Priest  for  us,  there  is  "  a  throne  of  grace  "  to  which 
we  may  "  come  boldly,"  now  in  an  accepted  time  and  in 
a  day  of  salvation,  "  to  obtain  mercy  and  to  find  grace  to 
help  in  time  of  need." 

And  if  you  come  to  Christ,  you  have  in  that  very  com- 
ing sweet  tokens  for  good.  "  Every  man  that  hath  heard 
and  hath  learned  of  the  Father,  cometh  unto  me  :  "  it  shews 
divine  teaching.  "  All  that  the  Father  giveth  me  shall 
come  unto  me  ; "  it  shews  that  you  are  among  those  given 
to  Christ.  "  And  him  that  cometli  unto  me  I  will  in  no  wise 
cast  out  :  "  it  shews  that  you  will  certainly  be  received, 
and  be  preserved  to  the  end.  John  x.  27,  28. 

But  do  you  say,  I  have  no  power  of  myself  to  come  to 
God  by  Christ,  and  even  use  the  words  of  Christ  against 
yourself^ — "  No  man  can  come  to  me  except  the  Father 
which  hath  sent  me  draw  him  1 "  It  is  true,  most  true. 
Experience  confirms  the  divine  statement.  But,  do  you 
j  make  the  objection  as  a  cloak  for  sin,  and  an  excuse  for 
I  indolence  !  It  is  your  guilt  and  condemnation  to  be  un- 
I  willing  to  come  to  Christ.  Do  you  make  the  objection  in 
distress  and  anxiety  of  mind  ?  "  Help  is  laid  on  one  that 
is  mighty."  Jesus  is  "  mighty  to  save."  He  has  for  sin- 
ners abundant  grace.  "  Likewise  also  the  Holy  Spirit 
helpethour  infirmities."  Your  Father  which  is  in  heaven 
will  give  his  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask.  Cry  mightily, 
earnestly,  constantly  ;  wait  on  the  Lord,  and  see  if  he  will 
not  have  mercy  on  you.  See  if  he  will  break  his  word. 
Heaven  and  earth  shall  sooner  pass  away.  O  give  not 
place  to  the  devil  hy  any  cavils  of  this  kind  ;  the  root  of 
which  almost  invariably  is  the  ruling  love  of  the  world, 
unbelief  of  the  reality  of  spiritual  and  eternal  good,  and 
slothful  indifference  to  your  everlasting  welfare. 


38 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


See  now  clearly  the  way  of  access.  "  Through  Christ 
we  have  access  by  one  Spirit  to  the  Father."  The  gate  is 
open  ;  the  way  is  clear  ;  sinner,  escape  for  thy  life.  Now 
be  delivered  from  hell  and  everlasting  damnation.  Now, 
now  come  to  Jesus,  and  gain  everlasting  glory. 

Meditation. 

When  the  apostle  asked,  "  How  can  we  know  the  way  ?" 
how  full  and  blessed  was  the  answer  of  our  Lord  to  his 
inquiry  !  "  I  am  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life  !  "  0 
may  I  every  day  walk  in  Christ  as  the  way,  know  Christ 
as  the  truth,  and  live  in  him  as  the  life  of  my  soul  !  "  To 
me  to  live  is  Christ  ;"  let  this  be  my  life  and  my  joy  con- 
tinually, and  then  if  I  die,  to  die  will  be  gain  ;  or  if  he 
shall  appear  before  I  die,  abiding  in  him,  I  shall  "  have 
confidence  and  not  be  ashamed  before  him  at  his  coming." 
And  how  wonderful  is  it  that  the  way  of  access  is  not  for 
the  righteous,  but  for  sinners !  Yes,  only  for  sinners,  so 
that  it  is  not  the  righteous,  but  the  sinner  that  comes  to 
the  Father  through  Jesus,  and  by  one  Spirit.  May  I  con- 
stantly avail  myself  of  this  amazing  privilege,  obtained  for 
me,  a  sinner,  by  my  divine  and  righteous  Lord  ! 

10.  COMMUNION  WITH  GOD. 

This  is  the  end  of  the  knowledge  of  God — the  daily  and 
constant  enjoyment  of  his  presence  ;  and  this  only  is  the 
creature's  happiness.  "  In  thy  presence  is  fulness  of  joy." 
This  the  Christian  in  a  measure  attains  here.  "  Truly  our 
fellowship  is  with  the  Father,  and  with  his  Son  Jesus 
Christ :  and  these  things  write  we  unto  you  that  your  joy 
may  be  full."  This  will  be  the  Christian's  joy  through 
eternity.  There  "  the  Lord  God  giveth  them  light,  and 
they  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever." 

How  then  may  we  daily  walk  with  God,  as  Enoch  did, 
as  Abraham  did,  and  as  David  did  ? 

There  is  communion  with  the  Father.  "  Truly  our 
fellowship  is  with  the  Father."    This  is  eminently  in 


THE  GREAT  GOD. 


30 


love  ;  God  is  love,  and  his  love  was  manifested  in  sending 
his  only-begotten  Son  into  the  world  ;  and  tlie  "  love  of 
God  "  is  that  which  the  apostle  specially  desires  might  be 
with  the  Corinthians.  2  Cor.  xiii.  14.  "  The  Father 
himself  loveth  you."  John  xvi,  27.  And  when  "  the 
love  of  God  is  shed  abroad  in  the  heart  by  the  Holy  Ghost," 
(Rom.  V.  5,)  when  we  see  how  eternal,  free,  unchange- 
able, and  distinguishing  it  is,  it  excites  corresponding  re- 
turns of  love,  and  we  "  love  him  because  he  first  loved  us." 
1  Jolin  iv.  19.  And  in  the  flowing  in  of  God's  love  to  our 
souls,  through  the  word  of  Christ  and  by  his  Spirit,  and 
the  going  out  of  our  affections  to  him,  consists  much  of 
that  sweet  communion,  commerce,  and  intercourse  which 
subsists  between  a  soul  born  of  God  and  the  God  and  Fa- 
ther of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  How  blessed,  how  infi- 
nitely blessed,  this  fellowship  is,  what  tongue  can  tell ! 

There  is  communion  with  the  Son.  "  Truly  our  fel- 
lowship is  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ  ;" — a  communion  so 
entire  and  intimate,  as  to  be  compared  to  that  of  the  mem- 
bers and  the  body,  the  husband  and  the  wife.  This  com- 
munion is  peculiarly  "  in  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ."  2  Cor.  xiii.  ]4.  He  is  full  of  grace  and  truth, 
and  of  his  fulness  have  all  we  received  ;— full  of  grace  in 
his  person  as  God  and  man,  in  his  life  and  death  for  us, 
in  his  work,  in  his  kingdom,  and  glory  ;  full  of  grace  in 
the  gifts  of  his  Spirit,  received  for  us  sinners  who  believe 
in  him.  And  when  this  is  discovered  to  us  by  the  Holy 
Ghost  (John  xvi.  14,  1.5),  then  our  hearts  are  drawn  out 
to  him.  Christ  dwells  in  our  hearts  by  faith,  his  love  con- 
strains us,  and  we  live  not  to  ourselves,  but  to  him  who  died 
for  us.  He  sympathizes  with  us  ;  in  all  our  afflictions  he 
is  afflicted  ;  he  bestows  his  gifts  daily  upon  us,  and  we 
desire  in  all  things  to  look  up  to  him,  trust  in  him,  love 
him,  and  obey  him  ;  and  where  we  do  not,  grieve  and 
mourn  for  our  guilt  and  foil}'.  0  blessed  communion  !  No 
communion  with  any  on  earth  is  so  perfect  and  so  sweet 
as  this  communion  between  Christ  and  his  people. 

There  is  communion  wjth  the  Holy  Ghost.    This  is 


40 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


what  the  apostle  closes  with  in  his  desire  for  the  Corin- 
thians, "  The  communion  of  the  Holy  Ghost  be  with  you 
all !  "  He  is  the  present  administrator  of  the  kingdom  of 
Christ,  the  Comforter  who  supplies  our  wants  in  the  ab- 
sence of  the  Saviour.  "  It  is  expedient  for  you  that  I  go 
away  ;  for  if  I  go  not  away,  the  Comforter  will  not  come 
unto  you,  but  if  I  depart,  I  will  send  him  unto  you." 
Many  and  gracious  are  the  offices  which  he  undertakes  for 
us.  He  is  our  Quickener,  Guide,  Teacher,  Sanctifier, 
Comforter,  and  Upholder.  The  temple  in  which  he  de- 
lights to  dwell  is  the  body  of  the  believer,  1  Cor.  vi.  19  ; 
where  he  comes  also,  he  "  abides  for  ever."  John  xiv.  16. 
O  the  unspeakable  advantage  of  this  Almighty  Spirit,  who, 
with  multiplied  and  diversified  gifts,  distributes  as  he  will 
to  the  people  of  Christ  for  the  good  of  the  whole  body  ! 
He  glorifies  Christ,  witnesses  with  our  spirits  that  we  are 
the  children  of  God,  seals  us  to  the  day  of  redemption,  gives 
the  earnest  of  our  heavenly  inheritance  ;  he  becomes  in  us 
a  spirit  of  supplication  and  of  adoption,  of  fruitfulness  and 
of  holy  joy.  May  we  never,  then,  resist  or  grieve  him,  and 
never  quench  his  motions  in  us  ?  May  we  worship  and 
love  him,  and  desire  his  in-dwelling,  and  walk  in  the  Spirit 
day  by  day  !  This  is  our  communion  with  the  Divine 
Spirit. 

Communion  with  God  is  maintained  by  loving  him  and 
delighting  in  him  all  the  day.  "  Delight  thyself  in  the 
Lord."  0  gracious  direction  !  may  we  know  it  in  Jesus, 
and  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  constantly  and  experimentally  ! 
It  is  also  maintained  by  prayer  to  him  :  our  life,  a  life 
given  to  prayer  ;  constant  rising  of  the  heart's  affections 
to  our  ever-present  God,  in  holy  thirstings,  desires,  and 
requests  to  him.  It  is,  lastly,  maintained  by  praise,  a 
duty  never  out  of  season  to  the  Christian  ;  "  in  every  thing 
give  thanks."  David's  Psalms  are  full  of  this  thankful- 
ness, and  no  small  part  of  our  communion  with  God  con- 
sists in  the  grateful  emotions  of  a  full  heart,  overflowing 
with  praise  and  thanksgiving. 


THE  GREAT  GOD. 


41 


Prayer  for  communion  with  God. 

0  my  God  !  draw  me,  and  I  will  run  after  thee.  It  is 
thine  own  covenant  engagement  to  all  that  believe  in  thy 
Son  ;  "  I  will  be  their  God,  and  tliey  shall  be  my  people." 
It  is  thine  own  promise  to  him  of  a  "  contrite  and  a  humble 
spirit,"  that  thou  wilt  dwell  with  him,  to  "revive  the 
spirit  of  the  humble,  and  to  revive  the  heart  of  the  contrite 
ones."  Do  thou,  I  beseech  thee,  dwell  with  me  and  be 
in  me.  O  give  me  the  humble  and  contrite  spirit,  that  I 
may,  through  Jesus,  have  the  blessed  in-dwelling  of  God 
himself,  and  my  body  may  be  the  very  temple  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  my  whole  life  a  walking  with  thee  in  faith  and 
hope,  in  joy  and  love,  till  I  come  to  see  thee  as  thou  art, 
and  to  know  as  I  am  known. 


11.  PASSAGES  OF  SCRIPTURE  ON  THE  ATTRIBUTES  OF  THE 
GREAT  GOD. 


GreatiKSs,  Pmner,  and  Omn'tscience — Genesis  xviii.  14.  Exod.  xv.  6,  13. 
Numbers  xi.  23.  1  Sam.  ii  2.  1  Cliron.  .\xix.  11,  12.  Job  ix.  32.  Psalm 
xliv.  21  ;  Ixxvii.  19  ;  civ.  24  ;  cvii.  29  ;  Ixxxix.  1,  2,  7,  8.  Proverbs  v  21. 
Jer,  V.  22.  Daniel  ii.  20— 22 :  iv.  3.  Joel  ii.  11.  Matt.  xix.  26.  Luke  i. 
37,  38 

Justice  and  Higliteowoten— Gen.  xviii.  25.  Exod.  xxxiv.  7.  Numb,  xxiii. 
19.  1  Sam.  XV.  29.  Deut.  xxxii.  4.  Psalm  xi.  7  ;  xix.  8;  xxiii.  4;  xxxvi. 
6;  xlv.  7;  xlviii.  10:  Ixxi.  19;  Ixxxix.  14,  34;  xcii.  15;  xcvii.  2.  Isaiah 
xi.  4.    Hosea  xiv.  9.    Romans  xi.  11.    Rev,  xv.  3. 

Goodn&.i,  Mtnii,  and  londencmsMn — Exodus  xv.  13  ;  xxxiv.  6,  7.  Deut.  i. 
31.  Judges  X.  16.  2  Kings  xiii.  23.  2  Chron.  vi.  18.  Neliemiah  ix.  17,  31 . 
Job  xi.  6.  Psalm  xxxiii.  5;  xxxv.  10;  xxxvi.  5;  Ivii.  10;  xx.wi.  7;  Ixii. 
12;  Ixxviii.  38;  Ixxxvi.  15;  Ixxxix.  14;  xcviii.  3  ;  ciii.  3,  4,  9—13;  cvi.  4, 
5 ;  cxiii.  5,  C;  cxvi.  5  ;  cxxx.  7  ;  cxlv.  8,  fl.  Isaiali  xxx.  18.  Jer.  xii.  15  ; 
iii.  12.    Lam.  iii.  21.    Hosea  xi.  4.    Micali  vii.  18.    Matt  xviii.  14.  Luke 

i.  50.   Eph.  ii.  14.    1  Peter  i.  3.    Romans  xv.  9.    2  Cor.  i.  3.    James  i.  17: 

ii.  13  ;  V.  1 1 

Hit  nreat  love  to  Jlfan— John  xvi.  17.  Romans  viii.  32.  Eph.  ii.  4,  7. 
IJohn  iii.  16;  iv.  7—11,  19 

He  w  our  Portion  mul  Hefwje — 2  Sam.  xxii.  I9,  31.  Job  xvi.  20.  Psaira 
ix.  9 ;  xvi.  5  ;  xxvii.  7,  8  ;  xxxi.  3 ;  xxxvii.  39  ;  xlvi.  1  ;  liv.  4 ;  lix.  9, 16,  17  ; 
Ixi.  3;  Ixii.  7:  Ixxiii.  26;  Ixxxiv.  lis  xc.  1;  cxix.  57;  cxxi.  2;  cxUi.  5. 
Proverbs  xviii.  10.  Isaiah  xxv.  4.  Lam.  iii.  24.  Hosea  xiii.  9.  Joel  iii. 
16.    Nahum  i.  7 

Saltation  ix  from  Cod— Job  xiii.  16.    Psalm  iii.  R;  cxviii.  14;  cxliv.  10. 

Isaiahxliii.il.    Jeremiah  iii.  23.    Hosea  xiii.  4.    Eph.  ii.  8 
Iitcitations  to  come  to  God — Isaiah  Iv.  1 — 3.   James  iv.  8 
God  ej'jmtulates  leitk  us — Deut.  v.  29.    Isaiah  i.  5  —  18:  v.  4 ;  1.  2  ;  Iv.  2. 

Lam.  iii.  39.    Ezckiel  xviii.  23,  29,  32  ;  xxxiii.  14.   John  v.  40, 


42 


CURISTIAX  TRUTH  : 


CHAPTER  III. 

ON  CKEATION. 

1.  God  the  Creator  of  all— 2.  The  vastness  of  the  visible  creation — 3.  The 
creation  of  man — 4.  All  things  made  to  glorify  God — 5.  The  fall  and  recovery 
of  man — 6.  Creation  bears  constant  witness  to  redemption — 7.  The  New 
Creation — 8.  The  voice  of  creation  praising  God — 9.  Prayers. 

].  GOD  THE  CREATOR  OF  ALL. 

We  find  ourselves  placed  in  the  midst  of  a  world  full  of 
the  wonderful  works  of  God  ;  every  thing  we  see,  and  hear, 
and  have  intercourse  with,  tells  us  of  the  great  God,  as  the 
one  Maker  and  Creator  :  who  hade  all  to  be,  and  called  it 
into  existence  where  it  existed  not  before. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  Bible  we  have  a  full  account  of 
the  way  in  which  it  pleased  God  to  proceed  in  creation. 
All  was  done  in  order  and  in  succession.  In  the  beginning 
God  created  the  heavens  and  the  earth.  In  six  days  he 
formed  the  present  state  of  our  world.  On  the  first  day  he 
commanded  the  light  to  be,  and  there  was  light,  and  he 
divided  it  from  the  darkness.  On  the  second  day  he  made 
the  firmament,  and  divided  the  waters  which  were  under 
the  firmament  from  the  waters  which  were  above  the  fir- 
mament. On  the  third  day  lie  separated  the  land  from  the 
seas,  and  made  the  earth  to  bring  forth  gi-ass  and  herb  and 
fruit  trees.  On  the  fourth  he  made  the  sun  to  rule  the 
day,  and  also  the  moon,  which,  with  the  stars,  was  to  rule 
the  night.  On  the  fifth  day,  the  fishes  in  the  water  and 
the  fowls  in  the  air ;  and  on  the  sixth  the  cattle,  beasts, 
and  creeping  things  were  created. 


ON  CREATION. 


4.3 


After  having  thus  made  a  beautiful  residence  adapted  for 
the  use  of  man,  he  last  of  all,  at  the  close  of  the  sixth  day, 
made  man,  holy  and  happy,  placed  him  in  it,  and  gave  him 
dominion  over  all. 

Thus  man  was  surrounded  on  every  side  with  the  works 
of  the  great  God,  and  you  may  see  in  all  of  them  plain 
proofs  of  his  wisdom,  love,  and  power.  His  works  are  the 
looking-glass  in  which  you  may  contemplate  continually 
the  perfections  of  your  Creator,  and  by  which  you  may  rise 
to  a  constant  communion  with  him. 

Now,  in  order  to  this,  the  first  requisite  is  Faith,  or  be- 
lief that  God  is  the  Creator  of  all.  Hence  St.  Paul  says, 
"  Through  faith  we  understand  that  the  worlds  were 
framed  by  the  word  of  God,  so  that  things  which  are  seen 
were  not  made  of  things  which  do  appear."  This  faith  is 
founded  on  God's  word  :  for  though  "  tlie  invisible  things 
of  God  from  the  creation  of  the  world  are  clearly  seen, 
being  understood  by  the  things  that  are  made,  even  his 
eternal  power  and  Godhead,  yet  men,  not  liking  to  retain 
God  in  their  knowledge,  shut  their  eyes  to  the  mirror  of 
creation  presenting  God  always  before  them,  and  require  a 
yet  plainer  teacher. 

Tlie  word  of  God,  therefore,  most  distinctly  sets  before  us 
God  the  Creator  of  all  things,  and  calls  us  to  faith  in  him. 
We  learn  also  from  that  word  that  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghost  were  all  concerned  and  combined  in  the  work  of 
creation.  Thus  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  it  is  said,  "  All 
things  were  made  by  him,  and  without  him  was  not  any 
thing  made  that  was  made  ;  "  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost  it  is 
said,  "  The  Spirit  of  God  moved  upon  the  face  of  the  wa- 
ters." Gen.  i.  2.  "  Thou  sendest  forth  thy  Spirit,  they 
are  created."  Ps.  civ.  30, 

Look  then  upon  the  magnificent  works  of  creation. 
Observe  first  the  beautiful  light  which  removes  the  veil 
from  the  face  of  created  things,  and  makes  every  thing 
visible  ;  giving  us  the  means  of  the  sight  and  enjoyment 
of  the  glories  of  the  heavens  and  the  glories  of  the  earth. 
See  the  expanded  fikmament  above  ;  the  heavens  which 


44 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


declare  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  and  the  firmament  which 
sheweth  his  handywork,  and  soar  through  its  immensity  ; 
rise  from  the  first  heavens  in  the  clouds,  to  the  second  hea- 
vens in  the  starry  regions,  and  the  third  heavens  beyond 
all,  where  is  the  more  directly  manifested  presence  of  God. 
Contemplate  next  the  boundless  and  unfathomable  ocean  : 
he  measures  the  whole  "  in  the  hollow  of  his  hands  ;  "  he 
raises  the  tumultuous  waves  when  they  swell  and  roar ; 
at  his  bidding  all  is  again  stillness  and  peace  ;  and  he  makes 
even  the  sand  its  barrier.  Or  again,  view  the  variegated 
EARTH,  its  hills  and  its  vallies,  its  woods  and  its  fields  ;  its 
springs  and  its  rivers  ;  its  infinitely  diversified  productions 
of  herbs  and  flowers  ;  its  hidden  riches  in  its  mines,  and 
its  outward  fruitfulness.  View  the  dazzling  glorj-  of  the 
srN  by  day,  enlightening,  warming,  enlivening,  and  fruc- 
tifying every  thing,  rejoicing  as  a  giant  to  run  his  course, 
and  that  full  of  blessing.  View  the  milder,  peaceful  beams 
of  the  MOON,  which  cheer  the  solitary  traveller  by  night, 
but  disturb  not  the  quiet  and  repose  of  the  millions  of  the 
weary.  Rise  then  above  these  to  the  glittering  stars, 
those  worlds  upon  worlds,  those  crevices  in  the  heavens, 
by  which  we  get  a  glimpse  of  the  grandeur  of  God.  Then 
go  from  inanimate  nature  to  the  living  world  ;  to  the 
fishes  that  people  the  ocean,  from  the  gigantic  whale  that 
takes  his  pastime  in  the  sea,  to  the  almost  invisible  inha- 
bitants that  people  a  drop  of  water  ;  from  the  vast  elephant 
to  the  least  insect  that  creeps  on  the  earth  ;  all,  all  is  full 
of  God.  His  power,  his  wisdom,  his  love,  shine  forth  in 
the  greatest  and  the  smallest  ;  nothing  is  made  or  subsists 
without  him  ;  nothing  is  above  his  control ;  nothing  is 
beneath  his  care. 

And  into  this  world  he  introduced  man  as  head  and 
Lord  ;  bidding  him  "  have  dominion  over  the  fish  of  the 
sea,  and  over  the  fowl  of  the  air,  and  over  every  living 
thing  that  moveth  upon  the  eai-th."  He  made  for  him  the 
garden  of  Eden,  with  every  thing  adapted  for  his  happi- 
ness ;  gave  him  a  companion,  and  bid  him  "  be  fruitful, 
and  multiply,  and  replenish  the  earth." 


ON  CREATION. 


45 


1  would  close  this  part  in  the  words  of  a  late  writer,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Kirby,  who  has  deeply  studied  the  living  works 
of  God.  He  says,  speaking  of  the  minute  animals  of  crea- 
ation  ;  the  innumerable  insects  which  fill  our  world  : — 

"  Nothing  is  more  striking  than  the  infinitely  diversified 
forms  into  which  creative  power  has  moulded  the  little 
frail  animals  that  are  destined  to  inhabit,  and  numbers  of 
them  to  illuminate  the  wide  expanse  of  waters  occupying 
so  large  a  portion  of  the  globe  which  we  inhabit.  When 
we  survey  with  curious  and  delighted  eyes  the  varied  tribes 
tliat  cover  the  soils  of  every  aspect  and  elevation  of  that 
part  of  the  globe  that  rises  out  from  the  fluctuating  surface 
of  the  great  deep,  and  which,  instead  of  deriving  their 
nourishment  and  means  of  life  and  breath  from  the  waters, 
salt  or  fresh,  live,  and  breathe,  and  are  fed  by  principles 
and  elements  communicated  either  mediatelj'  or  immedi- 
ately from  the  AIR,  an  atmospheric  ocean — an  expanse  that 
envelopes  \_ox  clothes]  uninterruptedly  the  whole  of  our 
globe,  and  which  itself  is  fed  and  renewed  by  the  con- 
stant effluxes  [Rowings]  of  the  great  centre  of  irradiation 
[of  that  which  gives  light]  ;  which  also  in  its  turn,  as  well 
as  all  the  other  orbs  that  burn  and  are  radiant,  and  those 
that  revolve  around  them  and  reflect  their  light,  receive 
their  all  from  Him,  that  great  and  ineffable  Being 
who  gives  to  all  and  receives  from  none,  I  lose  myself  in 
infinite  amazement  ;  I  shrink  into  very  nothingness  ;  I 
I  am  lost  in  the  depths  of  the  unfathomable  deity.  Life,  a 
life  attended  in  most  cases,  if  not  all,  with  some  enjoyment, 
swarms  every  where,  in  the  air,  in  the  earth,  under  the 
earth,  in  the  waters — there  is  no  place  in  which  the  will  of 
an  Almighty  Creator  is  not  executed  by  some  being  that 
has  animal  life.  What  power  is  manifested  in  the  organi- 
,  zation  and  structure  of  those  infinite  hosts  of  existence  ' 
>  what  wisdom  in  their  adaptation  to  their  several  functions! 
'  and  what  goodness  and  stupendous  love  in  that  universal 
I  action  upon  all  these  different  and  often  discordant  crea- 
tures, compelling  them,  while  they  are  gratifying  their  own 
appetites  and  passions,  and  following  the  lead  of  their 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


several  instincts,  to  promote  the  good  of  the  whole  system, 
combining  into  harmony  almost  universal  discord,  and  out 
of  death  and  destruction  bringing  forth  life  and  health, 
and  universal  joy  !  He  who,  as  Hennas,  an  ancient  writer, 
speaks,  '  contains  all  things,'  can  alone  thus  act  upon  all 
things,  and  direct  them,  in  all  tlieir  ways,  to  acknowledge 
him,  by  the  accomplishment  of  each  wise  and  beneficent 
purpose  of  his  will.  Philo  Judeeus,  in  his  book  upon  agri- 
culture, speaking  of  those  words  of  the  Psalmist,  "  The 
Lord  is  my  shepherd,  therefore  can  I  lack  nothing,"  has 
the  following  sublime  idea  illustrative  of  this  subject : — 
"  God,  like  a  shepherd  and  king,  leads,  according  to  right 
and  law,  the  earth,  and  the  water,  and  the  air,  and  the  fire, 
and  whatever  plants  or  animals  are  therein  ;  things  mortal 
and  things  divine  ;  the  physical  structure  also  of  the  hea- 
vens, and  of  the  sun  and  moon  ;  the  revolutions  and  har- 
monious choirs  of  the  other  stars,  placing  over  them  his 
right  word,  the  first-born  Son,  who  has  inherited  the  care 
of  this  holy  flock  as  the  Viceroy  of  our  mighty  King." 

Meditation. 

Can  you,  Christian  reader,  contemplate  these  things,  can 
you  "stand  still  and  consider  the  wondrous  works  of  God" 
(Jobxxxvii.l4,)without  joininginthe  expressions  of  David? 
"  When  1  consider  thy  heavens,  the  work  of  thy  fingers, 
the  moon  and  the  stars  which  thou  hast  ordained,  what  is 
man,  that  thou  art  mindful  of  him,  or  the  son  of  man,  that 
thou  visitest  him  ?  For  thou  hast  made  him  a  little  lower 
than  the  angels,  and  hast  crowned  him  with  glory  and 
honour."  Psalm  viii.  3 — 5.  "  0  Lord,  how  manifold  are 
thy  works  !  in  wisdom  hast  thou  made  them  all ;  the  earth 
is  full  of  thy  riches,  so  is  the  great  and  wide  sea,  wherein 
are  things  creeping  innumerable,  both  small  and  great 
beasts  !  "  Psalm  cxix.  24,  2.5.  0  may  I  learn  to  fear,  and 
love,  and  trust  in,  and  serve  thee,  my  Creator  and  my 
God,  now  and  evermore  ! 

2.  THE  VASTNESS  OF  THE  VISIBLE  CREATION. 

Man,  confined  to  a  cottage  in  a  little  village,  is  ready  to 


ON  CREATION. 


47 


think  his  own  hamlet,  or  his  neighbouring  market-towns, 
comprehend  the  chief  part  of  the  world.  Men  who  have 
never  been  out  of  their  own  country,  and  have  read  little 
of  others,  have  but  a  feeble  idea  of  the  vastness  of  the  habit- 
able globe,  with  its  thickly  inhabited  cities,  its  trackless 
regions,  its  almost  boundless  ocean,  and  its  eight  hundred 
millions  of  inhabitants.  Men,  before  the  discovery  of  as- 
tronomy, had  little  idea  of  the  worlds  upon  worlds  in  the 
midst  of  which  our  earth  moves,  and  of  which  it  forms  a 
part.  The  Bible  leads  us,  however,  to  other  worlds  and 
other  inhabitants  of  those  worlds,  and  shows  the  interest 
which  they  take  both  in  our  creation  and  in  the  wonders 
of  redemption,  which  things  the  angels  desire  to  look  into. 

But  lift  up  your  eyes  and  survey  the  vast  hemisphere 
above.  See  by  day  the  sun  in  its  splendour  and  glory.  It 
is  calculated  to  be  nearly  one  hundred  millions  of  miles 
distant  from  us,  and  nearly  nine  hundrsd  thousand  miles 
in  diameter,  being  above  one  million  times  as  large  as  our 
earth.  Besides  our  eai'tli,  ten  planets,  some  appearing  like 
splendid  stars,  and  several  of  them  vastly  larger  than  the 
earth,  revolve  around  the  sun.  One  of  the  more  distant 
of  those  planets,  Saturn,  five  hundred  times  larger  than 
our  earth,  is  calculated  to  be  above  nine  hundred  millions 
of  miles  distant  from  the  sun.*    0  how  vast  the  Maker 


*   LIST  OF  THE   PRINCIPAL  PLANETS. 


Name*  of 
PUnets. 

Dia- 
meter 
of  tiich. 

Circum- 
fereme  of 
eacli. 

Distatire 

from 
the  Sua. 

Orliit.  or 
Circle 

Revolii. 
tion  on  its 

Axil. 
Hrs.  Min. 

Revolution 
about  the 
Sun 
Daya.Hrb,  Min. 

Velocity 

in  a 
Minticc 

SI.  N 

796,000 

3,501,964 

MERCURY 

2,460 

7,724 

32,000,000 

201,024.009 

Uncertain 

67   21  IB 

1515 

VENUS 

7,906 

24.825 

59.000.000 

370,036,000 

S3  21 

224    16  49 

1124 

EARTH 

7,9l>4  j  25,020 

95,000,000 

508.933.000 

24 

365     5  48 

968 

MARS 

4,440 

13.960 

130,000.000 

773,686,000 

24  40 

686   23  27 

782 

JUPITER 

81.105 

251.908 

424,000,000 

2,662,280,000 

9  55 

4,332     2  20 

362 

SATURN 

67,870 

213,112 

777  000.000 

48,81,891.000 

10  16 

10.759     6  36 

326 

HERSCHELL 

35,112 

111.912 

l.SOO.OOO.OOO 

Uncertain 

Uncertain 

30,295  dajs. 

Unceri. 

The  adme.isurement  is  by  English  miles:  there  are  considerable  variations  in 
the  dill'ereut  admeasurements.  The  other  planets  are  Pallas,  Juno,  Ceres,  Vates. 


48 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


of  all,  who  bid  them  to  be  and  to  move  in  their  varied 
orbits  ! 

But  take  a  larger  survey  ;  go  beyond  the  sphere  of  our 
sun,  and  the  planets  revolving  around  it ;  look  up,  on  a 
clear  night,  to  the  immense  concave  above  your  heads. 
See  its  glittering  glories.  And  then  consider  the  light 
•which  God  has  given  respecting  them,  by  modern  discov- 
eries made  through  the  telescope.  It  has  been  calculated 
that  light  comes  to  the  earth  from  the  sun  in  eight  minutes, 
but  so  distant  is  one  of  the  nearest  of  the  fixed  stars  that 
light  takes  a  year  and  a  half  to  pass  from  that  star  to  the 
earth.  The  distance  of  the  stars  from  us  is  such  that,  in 
the  best  observations  made  with  the  most  powerful  teles- 
copes, they  still  retain  the  appearance  which  they  have  to 
the  naked  eye,  of  mere  points  of  light.  Their  size  must 
be  immense.  Their  number  is  incalculable.  The  milky 
way,  examined  by  powerful  telescopes,  resolves  itself  into 
an  incredible  number  of  small  stars.  0  how  great,  how 
glorious  the  Creator  and  Upholder  of  these  innumerable 
worlds  !  Nor  is  his  greatness  and  glory  diminished,  but 
magnified,  by  the  same  traces  of  wisdom,  power  and  love, 
discovered  to  us  by  the  microscope  in  the  smallest  and 
meanest  of  insects. 

The  earth  is  not  a  flat  piece  of  ground,  but  a  globe,  like 
an  orange,  about  twenty-four  thousand  miles  round.  The 
sun  does  not  go  round  the  earth,  as  it  appears  to  do,  and 
as,  in  common  language,  all  speak  of  it  as  doing  :  but  the 
earth  goes  round  the  sun,  in  three  hundred  and  sixty-five 
days,  and  turns  round  its  own  axis  in  twenty-four  hours, 
causing  thus  the  varied  seasons  of  the  year,  and  the  inter- 
change of  night  and  day.  How  wonderful  is  the  power  of 
God,  thus  suspending  these  mighty  globes  in  the  air,  and 
revolving  each  in  the  immensity  of  space,  and  keeping 
each  in  its  orbit,  without  ever  deviating  from  their  ap- 
pointed course.  "  Let  them  praise  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
for  he  commanded,  and  the)'  were  created.  He  hath  also 
established  them  for  ever  and  ever." 

If  a  cannon-ball  were  to  proceed  from  the  earth  as 


ON  CREATION. 


49 


quickly  as  it  goes  from  the  mouth  of  a  cannon,  and  to  con- 
tinue going  with  the  same  rapidity  till  it  reached  the  near- 
est of  the  fixed  stars,  it  has  been  calculated  that  it  would 
take  about  (500  years  to  reach  that  star. 

How  wonderful  also  are  the  cojiets.  The  word  comet, 
taken  from  a  Greek  word,  is  so  called  from  the  appearance 
of  the  comet  in  the  skies,  generally  with  a  long  hairy 
brush,  or  tail  of  light,  connected  with  it.  A  comet  is  a 
heavenly  body,  in  the  planetary  region,  appearing  sud- 
denly, and  then  disappearing.  Some  return  in  a  short 
period,  others  reqnire  a  longer  period  ;  Halley's  comet  re- 
turns in  about  seventy-six  years.  Some  of  them  pass  so 
quickly  through  the  air  as  to  move  many  millions  of  miles 
in  a  day.  But  little,  however,  is  yet  known  respecting 
them.  This  is  calculated  to  teach  us,  respecting  creation 
as  well  as  redemption,  that  humbling  but  profitable  lesson  : 
"  0  the  depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and  know- 
ledge of  God !  how  unsearchable  are  his  judgments,  and 
his  ways  past  finding  out !  " 

Meditation. 

0  Lord,  our  Lord,  how  excellent  is  thy  name  in  all  the 
earth,  who  hast  set  thy  glory  above  the  heavens  !  And  yet 
thou  condescendedst  to  be  my  God  and  my  portion  for 
ever.  And  all  thy  wisdom,  greatness,  power,  and  love  are, 
in  Jesus,  my  security  for  everlasting  blessedness.  Who  is 
so  great  a  God  as  our  God  ? 

.3.  THE  CREATION  OF  MAN. 

"We  must  now  more  distinctly  consider  the  creation  of 
man,  as  God  dwells  more  particularly  upon  it,  and  it  more 
immediately  concerns  us.  This  is  the  account  given  of 
our  creation  : — "God  said.  Let  us  make  man  in  our  image, 
after  our  likeness  ;  and  let  them  have  dominion  over  the 
fish  of  the  sea,  and  over  the  fowl  of  the  air,  and  over  the 
cattle,  and  over  all  the  earth,  and  over  every  creeping  thing 
that  creepeth  upon  the  earth.    So  God  created  man  in  his 


50 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


own  image,  in  the  image  of  God  created  he  him,  male  and 
female  created  he  them." 

The  ever-glorious  Trinity,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 
are  represented  here  as  determining  to  make  man.  He 
was  to  be  made  in  tlie  divine  image.  Our  Lord  Christ  is 
frequently  called  in  the  New  Testament,  "  the  image  of 
God";  (2  Cor.  iv.  4.  Col.  i.  15.  Heb.  i.  8.)  it  appears  there- 
fore hence,  that  his  incarnation  having  been  determined 
on  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  (Eph.  i.  4.  2  Tim. 
i.  9.  1  Peter  i.  20,)  Adam  was  made  in  that  fore-ordained 
image.  He  was  also  made  in  the  likeness  of  God,  which 
we  learn  is  righteousness  and  true  holiness,  (Eph.  iv.  24.) 
knowledge  and  truth.    Col.  iii.  9,  10. 

Thus  Adam  was  originally  formed  perfectly  holy  and 
happy,  appointed  lord  of  all  creation  here  below,  and  to  be 
the  head  and  parent  of  innumerable  beings  like  himself. 

And  when  God  had  thus  laid  the  foundations  of  the 
earth, the  glorious  hosts  above  united  in  one  song  of  praise; 
"  the  morning  stars  sang  together,  and  all  the  sons  of  God 
shouted  for  joy  ;  "  and  our  divine  Redeemer,  as  the  Wis- 
dom of  God,  is  thus  represented  :  "  I  was  rejoicing  in  the 
habitable  part  of  his  earth,  and  my  delight  was  with  the 
sons  of  men." 

Meditation. 

How  full  of  goodness  is  the  Lord  to  us  the  children  of 
men  !  Why  should  he  thus  favour  and  distinguish  man  1 
Oh  the  riches  of  his  wisdom,  grace,  and  love,  who  formed 
us  out  of  nothing,  to  be  like  himself  !  What  a  fair  and 
large  dominion  he  has  bestowed  upon  us !  To  him  be  glory. 

4.  ALL  THINGS  MADE  TO  GLORIFY  GoD. 

The  Bible  is  very  express  upon  this.  "  The  Lord  hath 
made  all  things  for  himself."  Pi-ov.  xvi.  4.  "  Of  him, 
and  through  him,  and  to  him,  are  all  things,  to  whom  be 
glory  for  ever."    Rom.  xi.  36. 

And  all  things  created  do  indeed  set  forth  and  display  to 


ox  CREATION. 


51 


US  the  glory  of  the  invisible  God.  His  eternity  may  be 
clearly  seen  in  their  creation.  He  was  before  anything 
else  was.  "  Thy  years  are  throughout  all  generations  ;  of 
old  thou  hast  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth,  and  the 
heavens  are  the  work  of  thy  hands.  They  shall  perish, 
but  thou  shalt  endure."  Psalm  cii.  14 — 26.  His  almighty 
POWER  becomes  manifest  and  obvious,  when  we  look  at  the 
work  of  his  hands.  Rom.  i.  20.  His  wisdom  shines  infi- 
nitely and  incomparably  excellent,  the  more  minutely  we 
survey  what  he  has  formed,  and  compare  it  with  the  most 
skilful  works  of  any  of  his  creatures.  His  loving-kind- 
ness is  seen  in  the  adapting  of  everything  to  its  designed 
use  ;  and  his  holiness  in  the  invariable  tendency  of  sin 
to  ultimate  misery,  and  of  righteousness  to  true  happiness 
in  the  end,  however  we  may  first  suffer. 

When  created,  all  was  indeed  pre-eminently  beautiful 
and  glorious  :  so  that  when  God  himself  surveyed  the 
whole,  it  is  said,  he  "  saw  every  thing  that  he  had  made, 
and  behold  it  was  very  good  : "  each  was  perfect  in  its 
kind,  fit  for  the  end  for  which  it  was  made,  and  all  full  of 
life,  beauty,  usefulness,  and  happiness. 

But  it  must  be  acknowledged,  many  things  appear  far 
otherwise  now  ;  sin  and  disease,  misery  and  death,  abound 
on  every  side  ;  spring  and  autumn,  summer  and  winter, 
youth  and  age,  cold  and  heat,  want  and  fulness,  all  have 
their  corresponding  sorrows,  trials,  and  afflictions  ;  and 
all  God's  blessings  may  l)e,  and  often  are,  changed  into 
curses.  Deut.  xxviii.  "  Man  is  born  to  trouble  as  the 
sparks  fly  upward  !  "  Whence  arises  aU  these  things  !  and 
how  are  they  declaring  the  divine  glory  1 

They  spring  from  sin — the  sin  of  man  ;  and  we  shall 
see  how  God  has  taken  occasion,  from  that  sin  the  more 
remarkably  to  display  himself  and  his  own  glory. 

In  the  mean  time,  let  his  works  speak  his  praise.  What- 
ever man  may  be,  God  is  perfect,  and  all  his  waj's  are 
mercy  and  truth,  and  the  whole  earth  is  full  of  his  glory. 
The  whole  creation  is  one  entire  volume,  and  the  sense  of 
every  line  is  God.    His  name  is  legible  on  every  creature, 

E  2 


62 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


and  he  that  sees  not  God  at  all,  understands  not  the  sense 
of  creation.  As  it  is  eternal  life  to  know  God,  so  this  God 
is  the  life  of  the  creature  which  we  know,  and  the  know- 
ing of  him  in  it,  is  the  life  of  all  our  knowledge. 

Meditation. 

"  Thou  art  worthy,  0  Lord,  to  receive  glory  and  honour 
and  power  ;  for  thou  hast  created  all  things,  and  for  thy 
pleasure  they  are  and  were  created."  Shall  not  the  crea- 
ture glorify  the  Creator  ?  Is  it  not  our  reasonable— ought 
it  not  to  he  our  most  delightful  service  and  duty  ?  0  that 
we  might  always  delight  ourselves  in  the  Lord,  and  rejoice 
in  his  greatness  and  goodness,  and  be  helped  to  this  tlirougli 
every  part  of  this  creation  !  0  tliat  whether  we  eat  or 
drink,  or  whatsoever  we  do,  we  may  do  all  to  the  glory  of 
God  !  Alas  !  alas  !  how  have  I  forgotten  my  Creator, 
and  lived  to  myself,  and  disregarded  thy  glory  !  May  it 
henceforth  be  manifest  in  a  grateful,  praising  life,  that  I 
am  among  thy  saints,  who  shew  forth  thy  praises,  and  bless 
thy  holy  name  ! 

5.  THE  FALL  AND  RECOVERY  OF  MAN. 

We  cannot  take  a  right  view  of  the  present  state  of 
creation,  and  God's  glory  in  it,  without  a  brief  notice  of 
the  fall  and  recovery  of  man. 

If  God  formed  all  so  very  good,  how  entered  evil  into 
our  world  1  The  Bible  tells  us.  It  pleased  God,  after 
giving  man  the  Lordship  over  the  whole  earth,  to  require 
from  him  one  single,  simple  test  of  his  obedience,  saying, 
'•'  Of  tlie  tree  of  the  knowledge  of  good  and  evil  thou  shalt 
not  eat  :  for  in  the  day  that  thou  eatest  thereof  thou  shalt 
surely  die."  Gen.  ii.  17.  Tempted  by  the  devil,  who  took 
the  form  of  a  serpent  for  that  purpose,  and  whom  the 
Bible  reveals  to  us  as  a  fallen  spirit,  the  father  of  lies,  and 
the  adversary  of  man,  our  first  parents  believed  that  enemy 
more  than  God,  and,  captivated  by  the  appearances  of 
good,  for  the  sake  of  obtaining  the  fancied  good,  they  dis- 


ON  CREATION. 


53 


obe3'ed  God,  and  took  of  the  forbidden  tree,  and  so  lost 
their  original  righteousness,  and  man  became  "  dead  in 
trespasses  and  sins." 

Who  can  bring  a  clean  thing  out  of  an  unclean  ?  Man's 
nature  was  now  fallen,  and  Adam  now  begat  children  in 
his  own  lilieiiess,  aiter  his  image  :  "  By  one  man  sin 
entered  into  the  world,  and  death  by  sin,  and  so  death 
passed  upon  all  men,  for  that  all  have  sinned." 

You  must  now,  therefore,  view  all  men  as  being  by  na- 
ture "  children  of  wrath,"  conceived  in  iniquity,  and  born 
in  sin,  and  that  wholly  and  altogether  through  the  fault 
of  man. 

But  the  great  God,  our  Creator,  had  purposes  of  grace 
and  mercy  towards  us,  when  we  were  rebellious  and  dis- 
obedient. These  purposes  he  revealed  in  the  sentence  upon 
the  serpent — "  I  vi'ill  put  enmity  between  thee  and  the  wo- 
man, and  l)etvveen  thy  seed  and  her  seed  ;  it  shall  bruise 
thy  head,  and  thou  shalt  bruise  his  heel,"  In  this  little 
sentence  there  is  a  whole  Bible,  a  history  of  the  world,  and 
of  the  church  of  Christ.  It  is  like  that  little  acorn  which 
contains  all  the  parts  from  which  the  future  magnificent 
tree  hereafter  shall  spring.  And,  blessed  be  God  !  it  em- 
phatically points  out  the  seed  of  the  woman,  who  is  our 
divine  Redeemer,  Jesus  Christ,  while  he  suffers  for  us,  at 
length  completely  crushing  our  adversary,  Satan. 

Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord,  bears  indeed  the  title  of  the 
second  Adam,  and  "  the  last  Adam  who  was  made  a 
quickening  Spirit.  The  first  man  is  of  the  earth,  earthy  ; 
the  second  man  is  the  Lord  from  heaven  ;  as  is  the  earthy, 
such  are  they  also  that  are  earthy,  and  as  is  the  heavenly, 
such  are  they  also  that  are  heavenly."  He  is  the  head  of 
a  new  and  recovered  race  of  men,  who  shall  be  restored  to 
more  than  all  the  original  glory  and  blessedness  of  the  first 
Adam.  If  "  by  one  man's  offence  many  were  made  sin- 
nei's,  much  more  they  which  receive  abundance  of  grace 
and  the  gift  of  righteousness,  shall  reign  in  life  by  one, 
Jesus  Christ." 

You  may,  in  the  whole  history  of  the  first  Adam,  dis- 


54 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  ! 


cover  much  of  God's  grace  revealed  in  the  second  Adam. 
He  is  the  image  of  God,  the  head  or  father  of  a  race  ;  his 
work  affects  his  seed  ;  his  dominion,  his  marriage,  and 
the  place  where  he  dwelt,  all  these  things  may  tell  you 
much  of  Christ,  and  of  our  recovery  in  him. 

Meditation. 

Oh,  how  awful  are  the  effects  of  sin  and  disobedience  ! 
What  tremendous  evil  one  single  act  of  unbelief  and  dis- 
obedience brought  in  upon  our  world  !  God  help  me  to 
see  the  exceeding  sinfulness  of  sin,  and  utterly  abhor  it  ! 
And  how  wonderful  that  divine  wisdom,  grace,  and  mercy, 
which  has  provided  a  way  of  recovery  1  O  that  I  may 
belong  to  Christ,  the  second  Adam  !  Let  me  count  all 
things  but  loss  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of 
Christ,  that  I  may  win  Christ,  and  be  found  in  him. 

G.  CREATION  BEARS  CONSTANT  WITNESS  OF  REDEMPTION. 

God  has,  in  his  infinite  wisdom  and  continual  providence, 
so  ordered  all  things,  that  the  whole  world  is  full  of  lessons 
teaching  us,  every  day,  and  every  hour,  salvation  by  Jesus 
Christ.  The  book  of  nature,  as  has  been  often  shewn,  is  a 
picture  to  discover  to  us  the  book  of  grace  ;  and  the  Bible 
is  the  interpreter  which  makes  plain  the  spiritual  mean- 
ing of  earthly  things. 

The  sun  shining  in  the  heavens  tells  us  some  of  the  glory 
and  some  of  the  benefits  of  Christ  Jesus,  the  Sun  of 
Righteousness.  The  wind  that  blows  where  it  listeth,  and 
is  invisible  to  the  eye  of  sense,  tells  us  something  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  who  invisibly  works  where  he  pleases.  The 
earthly  father  who  pities  his  children,  and  provides  for 
them,  tells  us  something  of  that  better  Father,  who  is  in 
heaven,  and  loves  us  on  earth. 

The  house  in  which  I  dwell,  the  food  which  I  eat,  the 
clothes  which  I  wear,  the  way  in  which  I  walk,  the  friend 
in  whom  I  delight,  the  husband  of  my  choice,  the  wife  of 
iny  bosom, — all,  to  the  spiritual  eye,  are  full  of  Christ  and 


ON  CREATION. 


55 


his  salvation.  We  are  surrounded  thus  with  constant 
helps  to  the  knowledge  of  the  grace  of  Christ,  and  to  the 
enjoyment  of  communion  with  him. 

Especially  by  the  mode  in  which  all  life  is  sustained, 
have  we  constant  lessons  of  what  are  the  just  wages  of  sin, 
and  of  the  doctrine  of  Clirist's  dying  for  us  sinners,  and  of 
our  living  by  his  death.  The  whole  providence  of  God  in 
the  world  is  life  by  death  ;  every  thing  speaks  it  as  the 
present  law  of  subsistence  through  the  whole  earth.  Mr. 
Kirby,  after  shewing  how  animals  live  upon  each  other, 
saj's : — 

"  It  may  be  remarked,  with  regard  to  this  constant 
scene  of  destruction,  this  never  universally  intermitted  war 
of  one  part  of  creation  upon  another,  that  the  sacrifice  of  a 
part  maintains  the  health  and  life  of  the  whole.  The  great 
doctrine  of  vicarious  sufferiiifj  [or,  one  suffering  for  ano- 
ther] forms  an  article  of  physical  or  natural  science  ;  and 
we  discover,  standing  even  upon  this  foundation,  that  the 
suff^erings  and  death  of  one  being  may  be,  in  the  Divine 
counsels,  and  consistently  with  what  we  know  of  the 
general  operations  of  Providence,  the  cause  and  instrument 
of  the  spiritual  life  and  final  salvation  of  infinite  hosts  of 
others.  Thus  does  the  animal  kingdom  in  some  sort  preach 
the  gospel  of  Clirist." 

He  also  states  that  "  more  than  twenty  punitive  kinds 
of  creatures  infest  man  internally — in  the  brain,  the  bile, 
the  blood,  the  kidneys,  tlie  muscle,  the  cellular  tissue,  and 
the  intestines.  Death  alone  proves  with  a  greater  strength 
of  evidence  than  this  army  of  scourges  set  in  arraj'  against 
him,  that  man  is  fallen  from  his  original  state  of  integrity 
and  favour  with  God." 

What  an  interjjreter  of  tlie  state  of  man,  and  of  the  way 
of  our  salvation,  then,  is  the  book  of  nature  ! 

Meditation. 

O  my  soul  !  use  the  helps  which  thy  God  hath  given 
thee  in  creation,  for  learning  those  things  which  belong  to 
thy  everlasting  salvation  !    My  God  and  Father  !  be  thou 


.56 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


my  teacher,  not  only  by  giving-  me  tlie  light  of  thy  pre- 
cious word,  and  the  book  of  creation,  but  thine  own 
Spirit  also  to  shine  upon  that  word,  and  interpret  that 
book,  and  make  them  clear,  and  to  shine  in  my  heart,  and 
dispel  all  the  mists  of  sin  and  all  the  darkness  of  ignorance, 
through  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord  ! 

7.  THE  NEW  CREATION, 

The  Bible  holds  out  to  us  a  most  blessed  discovery  of  a 
new  creation,  begun  now,  and  to  be  perfected  hei'eafter. 

This  new  creation  is  begun  now  in  the  children  of  God. 
"  If  any  man  be  in  Christ,  he  is  a  new  creature  ;  old 
things  are  passed  away  ;  behold,  all  things  are  become  new, 
and  all  things  are  of  God,"  A  real  Christian  is  born  again 
of  God  ;  "  The  new  man,  after  God,  is  created  in  righteous- 
ness and  true  holiness."  Our  Lord  Christ  is  the  head  and 
Lord  of  the  new  creation  ;  "  the  image  of  the  living  God, 
the  first-born  of  every  creature  ;  for  by  him  were  all  things 
created  that  are  in  heaven  and  in  earth,  visible  and  in- 
visible, whether  they  be  thrones,  or  dominions,  or  princi- 
palities, or  powers  ;  all  things  were  created  by  him  and 
for  him,  and  he  is  before  all  things,  and  by  him  all  things 
consist." 

All  who  have  received  the  Holy  Ghost  have  been  thus 
quickened  or  made  alive  ;  and  being  led  by  the  Spirit  of 
God,  they  are  the  sons  of  God  ;  his  children,  heirs  of  God, 
and  joint  heirs  with  Christ,  preparing  for  their  heavenly 
inheritance.  This  is  that  new  creation  of  which  the  Bible 
speaks  much,  (Psalm  li.  10.  Ephes.  ii.  10.  Gal.  vi.  15.) 
and  which  is  peculiar  to  the  people  of  God.  (2  Cor.  v.  17.) 
0  my  readers  !  be  not  content  without  having  this  clear 
and  manifest  to  your  souls.  You  will  never  share  the  new 
creation  glories  hereafter,  if  you  have  never  obtained  the 
new-creating  Spirit  of  God  here.  Call,  then,  earnestly 
upon  God,  "  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  0  God  !  and  re- 
new a  right  spirit  within  me."  Plead  with  constancy  his 
gracious  promises  :  "  A  new  heart  also  will  I  give  you, 
and  a  new  spirit  will  I  put  within  you  ; "  and  never  be 


ON  CREATION. 


57 


content  till  this  mighty  change  be  effectually  wrought  in 
your  hearts  by  the  grace  of  God. 

There  is  a  promise  also  of  a  new  heavens  and  a  new 
earth  :  "  Behold,  I  create  new  heavens  and  a  new  earth, 
and  the  former  shall  not  be  remembered,  nor  come  into 
mind  ;  but  be  ye  glad,  and  rejoice  for  ever  in  that  which  I 
ci-eate,"  Isaiah  Ixv.  17,  18.  So  the  apostle  Peter,  after 
describing  the  destruction  of  the  present  world  by  fire, 
says,  "  Nevertheless  we,  according  to  his  promise,  look  for 
new  heavens  and  a  new  earth,  wherein  dwelleth  righteous- 
ness. This  new  heaven  and  new  earth  being  the  habitation 
of  righteousness,  made  to  give  gladness  and  everlasting  joy, 
must  be  unspeakably  blessed  and  glorious.  The  apostle  Paul 
speaks  at  large  on  this  subject.  He  describes  the  whole 
creation  as  exceedingly  longing  for  it.  God's  gloiy  is  then 
eminently  to  be  revealed  in  his  children  ;  and  we  are  told, 
"  The  earnest  expectation  of  the  creature  [or  creation] 
waiteth  for  the  manifestation  of  the  sons  of  God  ;  for  the 
creature  [or  creation]  was  made  subject  to  vanity  not  will- 
ingly, but  by  reason  of  him  who  has  subjected  the  same 
in  hope.  Because  the  creature  Lor  creation]  itself  shall  be 
delivered  from  the  bondage  of  corruption  into  the  glorious 
liberty  of  the  children  of  God,  For  we  know  that  the 
whole  creation  groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  together 
until  now.  And  not  only  they,  but  ourselves  also  which 
have  the  first  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  even  we  ourselves  groan 
within  ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adoption,  to  wit,  the  re- 
demption of  our  bodies." 

The  present  state  of  sin  and  misery  is  not,  therefore,  to 
continue  for  ever  ;  we  may  and  should  earnestly  thirst 
after  and  long  for  a  far  better  state  of  things,  which  God 
has  promised,  and  which  all  who  truly  believe  in  his  Son 
shall  obtain. 

Prayer  for  a  nexu  heart. 

0  thou  that  hearest  prayer,  and  hast  said,  "  Ask  and  ye 
shall  have,  seek  and  ye  shall  find,  knock  and  it  shall  be 
opened  unto  you  ;  call  upon  me,  and  I  will  answer  thee^ 


68 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


and  show  thee  great  and  mighty  things  which  thou  knowest 
not  : "  behold  me,  a  most  sinful  creature,  coming  to  thy 
throne  of  grace,  and  asking  for  mercy  and  grace  from  thee, 
the  God  of  mercy  and  the  God  of  all  grace,  in  the  name 
of  thy  Son  Jesus  Clirist.  Thou  hast  pi-omised  to  give 
a  new  heart  and  a  new  spirit  ;  and  infinitely  do  I  need 
these  blessings,  for  my  heart  is  full  of  deceit,  vile,  and  des- 
perately wicked.  Oh  give  me,  I  entreat  thee,  the  new 
heart  and  the  new  spirit  !  a  heart  sensible  of  sin,  hating 
all  iniquity,  enlightened  with  the  knowledge  of  thy  glory 
in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ ;  a  heart  dead  to  the  world,  and 
devoted  to  Christ  my  Saviour,  and  full  of  love  to  God  and 
man. 

Work  in  me,  0  my  Father  !  to  will  ;  work  in  me,  O 
my  Father  !  to  do.  Has  not  Jesus  declared,  that  with- 
out hiiu  I  can  do  nothing  ?  Hast  not  thou  testified,  thy 
grace  is  sufficient  for  me  1  I  believe  thy  word.  I  implore 
that  all-sufficient  grace.  Oh,  leave  me  not  to  myself. 
Come,  Divine  Spirit !  and  deliver  my  soul.  Visit  me,  0 
my  God !  with  tliy  salvation,  and  satisfy  me  with  thy 
early  mercy.  I  have  no  plea  to  offer  but  the  name  of 
Jesus  ;  I  have  no  claim  in  myself  but  my  great  necessity, 
and  total  ruin  through  sin  ;  everything  in  me  deserves 
only  thy  wrath  ;  but  here  is  my  claim,  here  is  my  hope — 
the  precious  promises  of  thy  word  and  the  blood  of  thine 
only  son.  And  give  me  grace  never  to  cease  pleading  these 
with  thee,  till  I  obtain  those  promises,  and  have  an  abun- 
dant entrance  ministered  unto  me  into  thy  everlasting 
kingdom,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 


8.  THE  VOICE  OF  ALL  CREATION  PRAISING  GOD. 

In  the  Book  of  Psalms,  particularly  from  the  145th  to 
the  end,  the  whole  creation  is  called  to  praise  God  our  Sa- 
viour. It  is  a  song  yet  to  be  sung  here  on  earth.  It  is 
the  right,  the  reasonable,  the  happy  voice  of  all  creation. 
It  is  foretold  and  anticipated  in  that  bright  vision  of 
s-lory — "  1  beheld,  and  I  heard  the  voice  of  many  angels 


ON  CREATION, 


59 


round  about  the  throne,  and  the  beasts,  and  the  elders,  and 
the  number  of  them  was  ten  thousand  times  ten  thousand, 
and  thousands  of  thousands,  sayinn;  with  a  loud  voice, 
Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain  to  receive  power,  and 
riches,  and  wisdom,  and  strength,  and  honour,  and  glory, 
and  blessing.  And  every  creature  which  is  in  heaven, 
and  on  the  earth,  and  under  the  earth,  and  such  as  are  in 
the  sea,  and  all  that  is  in  them,  heard  I  saying.  Blessing, 
and  honour,  and  glory,  and  power  be  unto  him  that  sitteth 
upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb  for  ever  and  ever." 

Everything,  inanimate  as  well  as  living,  is  brought 
before  us  in  the  Psalms,  as  praising  the  great  Jehovah.  In 
the  heavens  above,  sun  and  moon,  stars  of  light,  heaven  of 
heavens,  and  waters  above  the  heavens  ;  on  the  earth,  fire 
and  hail,  snow  and  vapours,  stormy  winds  fulfilling  his 
word  ;  mountains  and  hills,  trees,  beasts,  and  all  cattle, 
creeping  things,  and  flying  fowls,  are  called  upon  to  praise 
and  magnify  him.  And  who  are  to  be  the  priests  leading 
and  offering  up  this  general  song  of  praise  1  Christians 
are  priests  and  kings  unto  God  and  the  Father.  Rev.  i.  6. 

f^very  part  of  creation  now  also  should  be  considered  as 
stirring  us  up  to  praise  the  Creator  ;  and  as  we  are  to  pray 
without  ceasing,  so  in  and  for  everything  should  we  give 
thanks.  What  a  life  of  praise  should  be  the  life  of  the 
Christian,  who  believes  in  Jesus,  and  knows  that  all  things 
work  together  for  his  good  ! 

And  who  can  tell  the  happy  state  of  that  immortal  spirit, 
in  perfect  oneness  with  the  great  God,  deligiiting  and  re- 
joicing in  him  ;  basking  in  the  sunshine  of  his  love,  who 
is  altogether  glorious  and  lovely,  and  having  him  who  has 
all  things  for  a  full  portion  ?  Oh,  what  a  blessed  state, 
even  upon  earth,  in  the  land  of  sin  and  sorrow,  trial  and 
temptation,  is  that  of  the  soul  when,  rising  tiirough  Jesus 
above  these  lower  scenes,  it  can  for  a  little  time  be  occu- 
pied in  the  exulting  song  of  redeeming  love,  and  the  glo- 
rious hope  of  a  heavenly  kingdom  !  But  what  will  it  be 
when  faith  is  lost  in  sight,  and  hope  in  full  enjoyment,  and 
we  are  evermore  exalting  and  magnifying  our  God  with 


GO 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


countless  hosts  of  similarly  happy  beings,  for  all  those 
higher  blessings  which  shall  then  on  every  side  stream 
around  us,  through  his  overflowing  bounty  and  loving- 
kindness. 

That  there  is  so  little  of  praise  now,  shows  how  far  we 
are  fallen  from  God.  The  Sabbath-day  is  indeed  publicly 
appointed  to  be  a  memorial  of  the  first  creation,  completed 
in  the  first  Adam,  and  of  the  new  creation,  to  be  completed 
by  the  second  Adam  :  and  every  Christian  will  carefully 
keep  holy  this  Sabbath.  But,  by  and  bye,  the  new  heavens 
and  the  new  earth  wherein  dwelleth  righteousness,  for 
which  we,  according  to  his  promise,  are  looking,  will  be 
manifested.  In  that  blessed  day,  when  the  invitation  comes 
from  the  throne,  "  Praise  our  God,  all  ye  his  servants,  and 
ye  that  fear  him,  both  small  and  great,"  there  will  be 
"  heai'd  as  it  were  the  voice  of  a  great  multitude,  and  as 
the  voice  of  many  waters,  and  as  the  voice  of  mighty  thun- 
derings,  saying.  Alleluia  !  for  the  Lord  God  omnipotent 
reigneth  ;  let  us  be  glad  and  rejoice,  and  give  honour  to 
him."  Amen. 

9.  PRAYERS. 

(1.)  Prayer  rightly  to  improve  the  works  of  creation. 

0  thou  who  didst  create  all  things  that  are  in  heaven 
and  earth,  and  after  furnishing  the  earth  with  innumerable 
proofs  of  thy  wisdom,  power,  and  goodness,  didst  place  man 
there  to  be  lord  of  all,  and  to  offer  unto  thee  continual  sac- 
rifices of  praise  and  thanksgiving,  I  beseech  thee,  let  me 
by  these  thy  works  continually  ascend  in  heart  to  thee,  my 
Father !  Oh  let  not  my  soul  cleave  so  as  it  has  done  to 
mere  earthly  things,  to  dust  and  vanity  ;  but  quicken  me, 
for  thj^  name's  sake !  And  as  thou  art  my  Father,  by 
creating  me,  so  be  still  more  my  Father  by  creating  me 
unto  righteousness,  and  adopting  me  into  thy  family,  and 
let  all  the  works  of  thy  creation,  which  suiTound  me  on 
every  side,  constantly  lead  me  to  holy  and  delightful  in- 
tercourse and  communion  with  thee !    Be  not  thou  as  a 


ON  CREATION. 


61 


stranger  to  my  soul  '  Oh  suffer  me  not  to  be  alienated 
from  thee,  my  God  !  Let  not  thy  gifts  be  turned  into  sin 
and  rebellion  by  my  resting' in  them,  but  be  continual 
means  of  helping  me  to  see  and  know,  and  to  love  and  walk 
witli  thee,  my  God,  all  the  day  long.  Hear  me,  for  Jesus 
Christ's  sake. 

(2.)  Thanksgiving  to  God  for  his  Works  of  Creation  and 
Redemption. 

Almighty  Father,  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  who  didst 
make  the  worlds  by  Jesus  Ciirist,  whom  thou  hast  ap- 
pointed heir  of  all  things,  how  can  we  enough  praise  thy 
name,  that  thou  hast  been  so  mindful  of  man,  and  formed 
such  creatures  here  for  his  use,  and  given  him  dominion 
over  all  !  The  earth  is  full  of  thy  riches,  and  so  is  the 
great  and  wide  sea  also  ;  and  thou  hast  given  all  things  to 
us,  that  we  might,  in  the  enjoyment  of  all,  see  thy  love, 
and  for  ever  bless  thy  name.  We,  thy  sinful  creatures, 
formed  and  sustained  by  thy  power,  and  brought  nigh  again 
to  thee  by  the  blood  of  Jesus,  do  give  thee  praise  and  glory 
for  all  thy  works  of  creation  and  providence,  and  every 
blessing  of  this  life.  The  Lord  is  good  to  all,  and  his  tender 
mercies  are  over  all  his  works.  But,  oh,  what  thanksgiv- 
ings we  owe  thee  for  the  wondrous  work  of  i-edemption, 
and  that  amazing  gift  of  love,  thine  only-begotten  Son,  to  be 
the  Redeemer  and  Restorer  of  lost  man  !  Blessed  be  the 
God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  which  according 
to  liis  abundant  mercy  hath  begotten  us  again  to  a  lively 
hope,  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  from  the  dead,  to 
an  inheritance  incorruptible  and  undefiled,  and  that  fadeth 
not  away  !  O  our  God  !  may  we  ever  rejoice  with  joy  un- 
speakable in  the  hope  of  that  glory,  when  all  things  shall 
be  restored,  and  the  heavens  shall  rejoice,  and  the  eartli  be 
glad,  and  all  that  is  tlierein,  before  the  Lord.  And  as  thou 
hast  called  us  out  of  darkness  into  thy  glorious  light,  that 
we  might  ever  praise  thee,  help  us  constantly  to  show  forth 
thy  praises,  and  live  to  thy  glory,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Redeemer.  Amen. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

PROVIDENCE. 

1.  The  nature  of  Providence — 2.  General  Providence — 3.  Particular  Provi- 
dence— 4.  Providence  in  our  temporal  circumstances — 5.  Providence  affecting 
the  soul — 6.  The  triumphing  of  the  wicked  short — 7.  Good  brought  out  of 
evil— 8.  The  signs  of  the  times — 9.  Dae  regard  to  the  Providence  of  God. 

1.  THE  NATURE  OF  PROVIDENCE. 

Of  all  the  endearing  names  which  the  great  God  bears, 
and  by  which  he  manifests  his  character  to  us,  that  of 
Father  is  one  of  the  most  instructive  and  delightful :  "  Like 
as  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  the  Lord  pitieth  them 
that  fear  him."  It  is  a  name  full  of  encouragement,  full 
of  comfort,  and  full  of  hope  ;  shewing  us  his  care  and  love, 
and  teaching  his  children  their  high  and  happy  prospects, 
as  heirs  of  God,  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ. 

This  name,  too,  peculiarly  points  out  to  us  the  provi- 
dence of  God,  as  it  shews  us  that  he  guides  and  governs  all 
things  for  the  good  of  his  family,  and  assures  us  of  the 
provision  which  he  has  made  for  all  their  wants. 

By  providence  we  mean  the  care  of  God  over  the  beings 
which  he  has  created  :  he  watches  over,  directs,  governs, 
and  provides  for  them,  and  all  concerning  them  ;  main- 
taining and  ordering  all  things  to  his  own  glory,  and  ac- 
cording to  his  own  good  pleasure. 

Men  use  the  words  chance  and  accident,  good  or  bad  liiclc, 
and  good  or  bad  fortime,  respecting  events  unforeseen  and 
unexpected.  These  words  tend  to  obscure  God's  provi- 
dence, or  are  used  without  meaning  ;  for  it  is  clear,  from 


PROVIDENCE. 


63 


God's  word,  that  nothing  comes  to  pass  carelessly,  or  as  a 
matter  of  indifference. 

Not  that  God  in  any  way  is  the  author  of  sin  ;  his  word 
is  express  on  this  point :  "  God  cannot  be  tempted  with 
evil,  neitlier  tempteth  he  any  man  ;  but  every  man  is 
tempted  when  he  is  drawn  away  of  his  own  lust,  and  en- 
ticed." The  root  and  blame  of  sin  is  all  in  man.  God 
forbids,  liates,  and  punishes  all  sin,  but  he  has  permitted 
it  for  greater  good  in  the  end — to  display  more  of  his  own 
glory,  ultimately  to  add  to  the  blessedness  of  his  recovered 
and  redeemed  creatures,  and,  now,  in  Jesus,  by  whom  "  all 
things  consist,"  that  sinners  may  have  "  a  day  of  grace." 

He  also  "  sitteth  on  the  flood  ; "  his  kingdom  rules  over 
all.  He  punishes  even  now  the  wicked  :  "  Shall  there  be 
evil  in  the  city,  and  the  Lord  hath  not  done  it  1 "  The 
most  cruel  tyrants  are  merely  "  the  rod  of  his  anger." 
How  striking  God's  language  respecting  Sennacherib,  king 
of  Assyria,  when  he  was  boasting  of  what  he  had  done  ! 
2  Kings  xix. 

Two  leading  parts  of  the  providence  of  God  are  preser- 
vation and  government. 

1.  Preservation. — He  preserves  living  beings,  and 
maintains  a  succession  of  them  ;  he  also  preserves  a  suc- 
cession of  the  productions  of  the  earth  for  the  use  of  man. 

2.  Government  consists  in  directing  the  actions  of  his 
creatures  ;  permitting,  but  effectually  controlling  and  over- 
ruling all  their  evil  actions  ;  and  inspiring,  aiding,  and 
concurring  with  all  their  good  actions.  It  also  consists  in 
distributing,  with  perfect  equity,  punishments  to  the 
wicked  ;  and,  with  sovereign  grace,  mercy,  and  loving- 
kindness,  as  well  as  equity,  rewards  to  the  righteous,  ac- 
cording to  their  obedience  or  disobedience  to  him.  Though 
there  may  be  wheels  within  wheels,  and  one  wheel  may 
seem,  as  in  a  watch,  to  run  contrary  to  another,  yet  all 
shall  display  the  wisdom  of  God,  and  fully  answer  his 
good  and  holy  ends. 


64 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Meditation. 

This  is  indeed  a  blessed  truth,  that  I  am  not  left  as  an 
orphan,  destitute  and  unprovided  for,  but  have  an  Almighty- 
Friend  and  Father  who  cares  for  me.  I  see  on  every  side 
the  selfishness  of  fallen  man  ;  I  feel  the  power  of  this  cor- 
ruption in  my  own  heart.  But,  0  !  how  delightful  the 
thought,  that  there  is  one  full  of  wisdom,  riches,  power, 
and  love,  always  at  hand,  and  ordering  all  for  me  !  I  need 
be  careful  for  nothing,  but  in  every  thing  by  prayer  and 
supplication,  wdth  thanksgiving,  let  my  requests  be  made 
known  unto  him.  Lord,  help  me  thus  to  call  upon  the 
most  high  God,  who  performeth  all  things  for  me,  and  to 
enjoy  all  the  peace  and  blessedness  of  full  confidence  in 
thy  love  ! 

2.  GENERAL  PROVIDENCE. 

By  the  general  providence  of  God  is  intended  that  con- 
stant and  universal  care  which  he  manifests  over  all  his 
creatures,  and  which  is  an  ever-present  witness  of  his  wis- 
dom, power,  and  loving-kindness  :  "  God  left  not  himself 
without  witness,  in  that  he  did  good,  and  gave  us  rain  from 
heaven,  and  fruitful  seasons,  filling  our  hearts  with  food 
and  gladness."  The  whole  human  race  is  thus  constantly 
partaking  of  his  bounty  and  goodness,  reminded  of  his 
existence  and  his  concern  for  us,  and  taught  to  seek  after 
him.    Acts  xvii.  2.5 — 28. 

This  providence  of  God  is  so  extensive  that  it  reaches 
to  the  very  smallest  and  most  minute  circumstances.  It 
is  a  great  mistake  that  God  is  too  great  to  concern  himself 
about  little  things.  You  judge  from  the  feeble  powers  of 
your  fellow-creatures.  You  see  man  here  can  only  be 
present  in  one  place,  aud  do  one  thing  at  a  time,  and  has 
only  a  certain  measure  of  strength  and  ability  ;  but  you 
forget  that  God  has  all  perfections  of  every  kind  that  we  can 
know  or  imagine,  centered  in  himself.  He  is  everywhere 
present,  has  almighty  power,  aud  has  infinite  wisdom. 


PROVIDENCE. 


60 


forethought  and  love  ;  and  can  and  does  direct,  uphold,  and 
govern  all  at  once.  His  greatness  is  specially  to  be  dis- 
covered in  his  cai'e  of  the  minutest  things  ;  "  Are  not  two 
sparrows  sold  for  a  farthing  ?  and  one  of  them  shall  not 
fall  on  the  ground  without  your  Father.  But  the  very 
hairs  of  your  head  are  all  numbered."  What  a  wonder- 
ful knowledge  and  providence  do  these  things  teach  us  ! 

Our  Lord  shews  us  that  the  same  providence  of  God  is 
concerned  in  providing  for  the  fowls  of  the  air  and  the 
grass  of  the  fields.    Matt.  vi. 

How  delightful  it  is  to  see  in  every  thing  the  loving- 
kindness  of  God  !  Truly  every  blade  of  grass,  every  leaf 
that  grows  on  the  tree,  every  bird  that  flies  in  the  air,  says 
in  the  Christian's  ear,  "  The  God  who  made  me  what  I 
am,  will  do  more  for  you.  0  trust  in  him,  0  love  him, 
and  shew  forth  his  praise." 

Immediately  after  the  deluge,  the  course  of  general  pro- 
vidence was  revealed  :  "  I  will  establish  my  covenant  with 
you,  neither  shall  all  flesh  be  cut  off"  any  more  by  the  wa- 
ters of  a  flood  ;  while  the  earth  remaineth,  seed-time  and 
harvest,  and  cold  and  heat,  and  summer  and  winter,  and 
day  and  night  shall  not  cease."  We  ourselves  are  living 
witnesses  of  the  faithfulness  of  this  covenant  :  and  every 
time  that  we  see  the  beautiful  rainbow  in  the  clouds,  we 
have  God's  token  of  this  covenant,  and  his  pledge  of  his 
gracious  providence. 

To  enter  into  the  full  history  of  general  providence  would 
be  endless.  The  whole  of  the  movements  of  the  sun  and 
moon,  the  earth  and  the  planets,  and  of  the  starry  sky  be- 
yond them,  the  varied  seasons  of  the  year,  the  animals  that 
people  the  earth,  the  air,  the  sea,  and  the  rivers,  the  in- 
numerable productions  of  every  kind  in  those  different 
parts  of  creation,  and  their  effects  and  uses,  the  regularity 
with  which  seasons  move  on,  and  animals  migrate  and  re- 
turn again  ; — these,  and  thousands  of  other  things,  are  to 
the  Christian  continually  displaying  the  kind  care  and  love 
of  God  our  Father.  To  him,  every  breeze  that  blows  on 
earth,  every  ray  of  light,  every  drop  that  falls  from  the 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  ! 


sky,  every  breath  of  air  that  he  inhales,  every  particle  of 
food  which  he  eats,  is  from  a  Father's  hand  and  a  Father's 
love.  He  can  say,  "  I  know  that  the  Lord  is  great,  and 
that  our  God  is  above  all  gods.  Whatsoever  the  Lord 
pleased,  that  did  he  in  heaven,  and  in  earth,  and  in  the 
seas,  and  all  deep  places. 

Meditation. 

0  blessed  knowledge,  which,  amidst  all  the  darkness, 
and  guilt,  and  sorrow  of  this  transient  world,  shews  me 
the  infallible  but  all-wise,  gracious,  powerful,  and  com- 
passionate hand  of  my  heavenly  Father,  guiding  every 
thing,  however  great  or  however  small ;  no  chance,  no 
accident,  but  all  for  the  best  to  them  tliat  love  him  !  May 
this  knowledge  lead  me  to  prayer,  confidence,  peace,  hope, 
and  mucli  joy,  through  Jesus  our  Lord. 

8.  PARTICULAR  PROVIDENCE. 

By  particular  providence  is  meant  that  which  relates  to 
nations  or  individuals.  "  Many  seek  the  ruler's  favour, 
but  every  man's  judgment  cometh  from  the  Lord."  Prov. 
xxix.  26.  This  is  a  most  cheering  and  consoling  truth  to 
the  children  of  God.  There  is  no  poor  man  in  his  cottage, 
who  is  trusting  in  Jesus  Christ  and  loving  God,  but  may 
be  assured  that  God  is  making  all  things  work  together  for 
his  good,  however  humble  he  may  be  in  the  world,  or  how- 
ever disregarded  he  may  be  by  his  fellow-creatures.  It  is 
a  beautiful  saying  of  St.  Augustine,  "  God  takes  as  much 
care  of  each  particular,  as  if  each  were  all,  and  as  much 
care  of  all  as  if  all  were  but  one  particular." 

1.  God  deals  providentially  with  nations.  "When  the 
most  High  divided  to  the  nations  their  inheritance,  when 
he  separated  the  sons  of  Adam,  he  set  the  bounds  of  the 
people  according  to  the  number  of  the  children  of  Israel." 
The  beginnings  of  each  nation  were  under  the  leading  and 
guidance  of  God  ;  he  determined  the  bounds  of  their  habi- 
tation.   As  he  meant  to  make  Israel  the  keepers  of  his 


PROVIDENCE. 


(>7 


truth,  and  the  means  of  blessing  to  the  whole  earth,  he 
placed  their  land  in  the  most  central  part  of  that  earth, 
with  the  most  easy  means  of  communication  to  every 
other  land. 

What  a  mercy  it  is,  amidst  all  our  national  rebellions 
and  disregard  of  God's  glory,  that  he  still  preserves  among 
us  the  light  of  his  truth,  and  his  own  word  in  its  purity. 
While  other  nations  are  wholly  left  in  the  darkness  of 
popery,  infidelity,  mahomedanism,  or  paganism,  0  how 
much  do  we  owe  to  God's  good  providence  for  our  national 
mercies,  in  first  sending  to  us  the  gospel,  and  then  in  rais- 
ing up  our  blessed  Reformers  to  revive  among  us  the  pure 
light  of  divine  truth,  and  maintaining  that  light  for  three 
centuries.    To  God  be  all  the  glory  ! 

2.  God  deals  providentially  with  individuals.  Each 
particular  person  is  a  child  of  providence,  and  may  say  of 
God,  "  he  performeth  the  thing  that  is  appointed  for  me." 
This  providence  is  more  extraordinary  and  remarkable  in 
some  than  in  others,  but  there  is  no  one  who  has  not  had 
direct  and  gracious  interferences  and  manifestations  of 
God's  goodness  again  and  again.  "  His  tender  mercies  are 
over  all  his  works."  Some  of  the  books  of  scripture  emi- 
nently display  this  particular  providence  in  individuals. 
Look  at  the  history  of  Joseph.  Observe  first  his  father's 
partiality,  his  brethren's  envy,  his  dreams,  his  sale  to  the 
Ishmaelites,  liis  being  bought  by  Potiphar,  his  being  cast 
into  prison  ;  his  meeting  there  Pharaoh's  officers,  his 
interpreting  their  dreams,  and  then  being  sent  to  interpret 
Pliaraoh's  ;  his  being  subsequently  raised  to  be  governor 
of  Egypt,  and  thus  the  preservation  of  his  whole  family. 
What  a  life  of  providence  !  Look  at  the  history  of  Moses. 
His  birth  at  such  a  dangerous  time,  his  exposure,  Pha- 
raoh's daughter  passing  by,  her  compassion  and  commit- 
ting him  to  his  mother,  his  education,  his  fliglit  to  Midian, 
his  return,  and  deliverance  of  his  whole  nation. — What  a 
chain  of  providence!  Look  at  the  history  of  Ruth.  A 
famine  compels  Naomi  and  her  husband  to  fly  to  the 
country  of  Moab  with  thfir  sons.    The  sons  there  marry 

F  2 


68 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


Orpah  and  Ruth,  !Moabitish  women,  and  then  the  husband 
of  Naomi  and  the  sons  die.  Naomi  returns  ;  Ruth,  from 
love  to  the  God  of  Israel,  returns  with  her.  See  the  whole 
history  of  her  growing  intercourse  with  Boaz,  their  mar- 
riage, and  her  ultimately  becoming  thus  the  ancestor  of  a 
race  of  monarclis,  and  of  the  Jlessiah  himself.  The  book 
of  Esther  is  full  of  similar  providences.  The  name  of  God 
occurs  not  indeed  in  the  book,  but  every  part  is  full  of  his 
gracious  and  direct  interposition. 

And  can  you  not,  Christian  reader,  find  innumerable  in- 
stances of  the  same  gracious  providence  in  your  own  life  1 
How  have  your  best  blessings  come — looked  for  or  un- 
looked  for  ?  By  your  own  contrivance,  or  by  God's  gra- 
cious gift  and  disposal  ?  O  what  lessons  of  providence  has 
your  own  life,  I  confidently  appeal  to  your  conscience,  set 
before  you  !  That  you  have  been  spared  time  after  time, 
that  you  have  been  preserved  from  imminent  danger,  that 
you  have  been  helped  through  times  of  trial  beyond  all 
your  expectations,  to  what  was  it  owing  ?  Not  to  your 
wisdom,  sufficiency  and  forethought,  but  to  the  wisdom, 
sufficiency  and  kind  providence  of  your  gracious  God  and 
Father. 

Meditation. 

God  has  indeed  dealt  most  graciously  with  me  !  Who 
am  I,  0  Lord  God,  and  what  is  my  house,  that  thou  hast 
brought  me  hitherto  ?  O  what  displays  of  loving-kind- 
ness on  God's  part,  and  of  disregard  of  God  on  my  part ! 
Well  may  he  complain,  "  the  Ox  knoweth  his  owner,  and 
the  ass  his  master's  crib  ;  but  Israel  doth  not  know,  my 
people  doth  not  consider."  Lord,  give  me  a  better  mind 
for  the  time  to  come. 

4.  PROVIDENCE  IN  OUR  TEMPORAL  CIRCU31STANCES. 

Look  back  at  the  ways  God  has  led  you — see  how  he  has 
from  day  to  day  provided  for  you.  You  have  lived  so 
many  days,  weeks,  months,  and  years,  and  never  perhaps 


PROVIDENCE. 


69 


been  a  day  without  food,  clothing,  protection  and  help. 
All  were  his  gifts.  He  has  fed  you  all  your  life  long, 
(Gen.  xlviii.  15.)  and  his  mercies  have  been  new  every 
morning.  He  has  thought  of  you  when  you  have  never 
thought  of  him.  He  has  provided  for  you  when  you  have 
totally  disregarded  the  very  baud  that  has  given  you  all 
things. 

One  of  the  titles  by  which  God  is  known  is  "  the  Pre- 
server of  men."  Job  vii.  20.  And  which  of  us  have  not 
found  it  true  in  our  lives  ?  He  has  raised  us,  perhaps 
again  and  again,  from  sickness,  and  preserved  us  from  ex- 
pected destruction.  How  many  have  perished  by  things 
which  have  done  you  no  injury  !  You  have  probably  yet 
the  possession  of  limbs,  faculties,  and  senses,  and  a  good 
measure  of  health  and  strength  ;  and  when  you  know  in 
how  many  thousand  ways  these  might  be  injured  every 
day,  what  but  the  care  of  him  who  "  never  slumberetli 
nor  sleepeth,"  could  have  kept  all  these  unhurt  from  year 
to  year  to  the  present  moment. 

God's  children  have  often  a  very  rich  experience  of  his 
faithfulness  in  providing  for  their  temporal  wants  in  their 
extremities.  "  They  that  seek  the  Lord  shall  not  want 
any  good  thing."  The  excellent  Isaac  Ambrose,  who  wrote 
that  valuable  book  called  "  Looking  unto  Jesus,"  once 
was  in  great  distress,  and  receiving  unexpected  relief,  he 
observed,  "  One  morsel  of  God's  provision,  especially  when 
it  comes  unexpected  and  upon  prayer,  when  wants  are 
most,  will  be  more  sweet  to  spiritual  relish,  than  all  for- 
mer enjoyments  were." 

God  has  in  every  way  encouraged  us  to  tnist  in  him 
implicitly,  for  giving  us  all  that  is  good  for  us.  He  ap- 
peals to  the  power  of  paternal  feelings,  "  If  ye,  being  evil, 
know  how  to  give  good  gifts  to  your  children,  how  much 
more  shall  your  Father  which  is  in  heaven  give  good  things 
to  them  that  ask  him."  He  appeals  to  his  care  of  birds 
and  of  fowls,  and  asks,  "  Are  ye  not  much  better  than 
they  ?  "  He  appeals  to  the  life  which  he  has  given  and 
the  body  which  he  has  formed,  and  says,  "  Is  not  the  life 


70 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


more  than  meat,  and  the  bodj'  than  raiment  ?  "  May  the 
Lord  liimself  then  remove  all  unbelief  from  your  liearts, 
and  enable  you  to  l)e  at  perfect  peace,  with  a  mind  stayed 
upon  him,  under  tlie  cheering  hope  expressed  by  St.  Paul, 
"  My  God  shall  supply  all  your  need  out  of  his  riches  in 
glory  by  Christ  Jesus." 

He  knows  what  things  we  have  need  of.  The  poor  may 
be  afraid  employment  shall  fail  them,  times  become  harder, 
and  tlieir  difficulties  be  so  increased  that  they  shall  be  un- 
able to  get  food  for  themselves  and  their  families  ;  but  God 
will  at  such  times  manifest  more  of  his  goodness  in  the 
seasonableness  of  his  mercy. 

Meditation. 

How  rich,  0  my  God,  are  thy  promises  !  I  may  boldly 
say,  The  Lord  is  my  helper,  Jesus  is  my  Shepherd,  I  shall 
not  want.  "  When  the  poor  and  needy  seek  water  and 
there  is  none,  and  their  tongue  faileth  for  thirst,  I  the 
Lord  will  hear  them,  1  the  God  of  Israel  will  not  forsake 
them."  He  who  commanded  the  ravens  to  feed  Elijah  ; 
he  who  allowed  not  the  widow's  barrel  of  meal  and  cruise 
of  oil  to  fail  ;  he  wlio  fed  4000  and  5000  with  a  few  loaves 
and  fishes,  will  still  provide  for  the  wants  of  all  that  trust 
in  him. 

5.  PROVIDENCE  AFFECTING  THE  SOUL. 

The  wonders  of  Providence  here  are  marvellous  !  Not 
to  speak  of  those  things  which  concern  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  the  waj^  in  which  Providence  brought  to  pass 
all  that  had  been  foretold  concerning  him  ;  not  to  speak  of 
the  whole  history  of  the  church  of  God,  a  bush  always 
burning  but  never  consumed,  a  spark  in  the  ocean  and  yet 
never  extinguished  :  let  us  notice  other  things. 

There  is  the  Bible  lying  on  your  table.  How  came  it 
there  ?  You  have  it  in  your  hands  by  a  series  of  wonderful 
providences,  for  upwards  of  .3000  years.  From  age  to  age, 
the  wicked  have  hated  it,  and  sought  to  destroy  it.  There 


PROVIDENCE. 


71 


have  been  periods  of  general  darkness,  superstition,  and 
in-norance,  in  vvliicli  it  seemed  probable  that  it  would  be 
wholly  lost.  There  have  been  periods  when  it  was  death 
to  a  Christian  to  have  it  in  his  possession.  It  has  passed 
through  innumerable  hands,  from  copy  to  copy,  in  manu- 
script, for  ages,  and  now  you  have  it  entire  and  complete, 
the  word  of  God,  a  lamp  to  your  feet  and  a  light  to  your 
path. 

You  live  in  a  Protestant  country  !  By  what  wonderful 
providences  were  we  delivered  from  the  abominations  of 
popery,  and  what  unlikely  instruments  were  used  for  that 
purpose.  A  wicked,  violent,  and  arbitrary  monarch 
quarrels  with  the  pope,  and  thus  God  opens  the  door  for 
separation  from  idolatrous  Rome,  and  for  the  religious 
freedom  and  blessedness  of  the  Reformation.  In  all  the 
steps  of  that  separation,  300  years  ago,  the  Christian  may 
discover  innumerable  traces  of  the  hand  of  him  who  brings 
good  out  of  evil,  and  overcomes  evil  with  good.  The  same 
providence  marked  the  Revolution  of  1688.  What  God  has 
done  for  us  should  lead  us  to  earnest  prayer,  that  in  these 
changing  and  troublous  times  he  may  yet  appear  for  us, 
and  lead  us  to  repentance,  and  still  spare  and  bless  us  ! 

IIow  gracious  to  us  the  dispensation,  if  indeed  we  really 
know  our  mercies,  and  believe  in  the  God  of  our  salvation, 
that  we  had  our  birth  in  this  land,  and  at  this  time,  with 
so  many  advantages  for  becoming  wise  unto  salvation  ! 
The  large  supply  of  pious  books  circulating  through  this 
country  is  another  gracious  proviilence.  How  much  has 
God  used  such  books  as  Bunyan's  Pilgrim's  Progress  and 
Wilberforce's  Practical  View,  to  the  good  of  innumerable 
souls  ! 

The  providence  of  God  in  converting  men  to  himself  is 
indeed  full  of  wonders,  and  full  of  variety.  Some  are 
gradually  brought  by  Christian  education,  or  by  slow  com- 
munication of  spiritual  light  to  a  right  mind.  Others, 
like  Paul  and  the  jailer.  Colonel  Gardiner  and  John  New- 
ton, are  more  suddenly  converted.  By  nature  men  are 
dark  and  blind  ;  but  God  fulfils  to  his  children  the  pro- 


72 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


mise,  "  I  will  bring  the  blind  by  a  way  they  know  not." 
Isaiah  xlii.  IG. 

Have  you,  reader,  been  brought  to  Christ  ?  Can  you 
say,  "  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy  for  his  great  love  where- 
with he  loved  us,  even  when  we  were  dead  in  sins,  hath 
quickened  us  together  with  Chi-ist !  "  And  if  so,  cannot 
you  see  in  the  way  that  you  have  been  brought,  innumer- 
able tokens  of  the  loving-kindness  of  God.  Whether  it 
was  the  book  you  read,  the  friend  you  conversed  with,  the 
minister  you  heard,  the  affliction  you  passed  through,  the 
danger  you  escaped,  that  first  turned  your  heai't, — it  was 
God's  special  grace,  in  his  providence,  that  gave  the  real 
blessing. 

The  same  providence  is  richlj^  displayed  in  preserving 
men  from  temptation.  What  Christian  can  here  look 
back  without  special  thankfulness  ?  Again  and  again  he 
has  been  on  the  very  verge  of  grievously  sinning  against 
God  to  the  great  dishonour  of  his  name,  and  he  has  been 
wonderfully  withheld  and  delivered  !  Abigail  meets  David 
just  in  the  height  of  his  anger,  and  turns  him  from  sin. 
Laban  is  prevented  by  a  dream  from  injuring  Jacob. 
Joseph  is  kept  by  a  holy  thought,  given  to  him  in  the  hour 
of  trial,  from  the  temptation  which  his  wicked  mistress 
presented  to  him.  God  frequently  shews  us  how  weak 
and  helpless  we  are,  and  then  in  the  critical  moment, 
sends  us  unexpected  help,  that  we  may  glorify  his  great 
name.  His  providence,  in  marking  sins  with  present  evils, 
furnishes  his  people  with  a  real  help  to  obedience.  The 
punishment  of  the  sins  of  God's  people  in  this  world  is 
very  observable.  Jacob's  deceit,  David's  adultery  and 
murder,  Samson's  licentiousness,  met  with  remarkable 
and  corresponding  chastisements.  "  We  are  chastened  now 
of  the  Lord,  that  we  should  not  be  condemned  with  the 
world." 

Healing  the  backslidings  of  his  children  manifests  many 
a  gracious  providence.  Often  the  woi'k  of  grace  in  the 
heart  seems  to  have  ceased,  and  all  to  have  become  dead 
and  formal.    And  then  that  truth  is  seen,  "  he  restoreth 


PROVIDENCE. 


73 


my  soul,  he  leadeth  nie  in  the  paths  of  righteousness  for 
his  name's  sake."  By  some  unlooked-for  means,  our  wan- 
dering spirit  is  recalled  back  to  God,  a  new  supply  of  spi- 
ritual life  and  strength  is  given,  and  our  backslidings  are 
healed,  God's  work  is  again  revived,  and  we  press  forward 
with  renewed  vigour  in  the  Christian  race.  To  be  kept 
still  IN  THE  WAV  to  Zion,  Oh  what  a  mercy  is  this  ! 

Praise  for  Spiritual  Mercies. 

Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
who  bath  blessed  us  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  hea- 
venly places  in  Christ  Jesus  !  Oh,  what  thanks  and  what 
love  I  owe  thee,  my  heavenly  Father,  for  the  rich  and  full 
spiritual  privileges  and  blessings  which  I  enjoy  1  What 
more  could  have  been  done  for  me  ?  Only  give  me  the 
heart  to  love,  only  open  thou  niy  lips  that  they  may  show 
forth  thy  praise  ;  make  me  thine,  wholly,  unreservedly, 
and  for  ever. 

G.  THE  TRIUMPHING  OF  THE  WICKED  IS  SHORT, 

That  which  has  most  exercised  the  mind  of  good  men  in 
every  age  has  been,  the  prosperity  of  the  wicked.  David, 
in  one  of  his  Psalms  (the  73d),  speaks  of  this  as  almost 
occasioning  his  fall,  and  the  slipping  of  his  feet.  Jeremiah 
asks,  "  Wherefore  doth  the  way  of  the  wicked  prosper  ? 
wherefore  are  all  they  happy  that  deal  very  treacherously  ?" 
BothDavid  and  Jeremiah  then  show  that  this  is  preparatory 
to  their  greater  destruction.  "I  understood  their  end ;  thou 
didst  set  them  in  slippery  places,  thou  castedst  them  down 
into  destruction."  In  the  37tli  Psalm,  David  enters  fully 
into  this  subject.  He  says,  "  I  have  seen  the  wicked  in 
great  power,  and  spreading  himself  like  a  green  bay-tree  : 
yet  he  passed  away,  and,  lo,  he  was  not."  So  Solomon 
testifies,  "  the  prosperity  of  fools  shall  destroy  them." 

In  the  parable  of  the  rich  man  and  Lazarus,  we  have  a 
history  which  displays  the  righteous  providence  of  God, 
making  that  clear  hereafter  which  seems  unequal  here. 


74 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


The  rich  man,  clothed  in  purple  and  fine  linen,  lived  in 
ease  and  luxury,  thoughtless  of  his  sick  neighbours.  The 
poor  man,  full  of  sores,  perished  "  at  his  doors."  But  who 
can  envy  the  rich,  now  tormented  in  hell  ?  or  feel  that  the 
lot  of  poor  Lazarus,  now  in  Abraham's  bosom,  was  really 
the  harder  lot  1  A  future  judgment  will  speedily  set  right 
all  temporal  inequalities. 

It  is  true  that  the  wicked  in  worldly  things  have  appa- 
rent advantage  ;  they  seem  to  carry  all  before  them,  and 
the  righteous  suffer  and  find  no  relief.  These  things  are 
so  much  the  case  that  the  apostle  describes  the  calling  of 
the  Christian  to  be,  to  do  well  and  suffer  for  it,  and  take  it 
patiently,  in  imitation  of  Christ,  who  suffered  for  us,  leaving 
us  an  example  that  we  should  follow  his  steps.  A  righteous 
tradesman  will  suffer  many  losses  in  business  by  never 
breaking  the  Sabbath  nor  deceiving  others,  A  faithful 
man  who  does  not  seek  to  please  men  by  flattery,  will  be 
less  acceptable  to  them.  A  devoted  Christian  who  will  not 
walk  after  the  course  of  this  world,  and  condemns  it  by 
his  heavenly  spirit  and  conversation,  will  be  sure  to  be 
evil  spoken  of.  But  all  this  is  a  part  of  the  cross  that  is 
to  be  counted  upon.  After  fully  estimating  the  matter, 
St.  Paul  says,  "  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  the  present 
time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which 
shall  be  revealed  in  us."  Yet  generally,  even  in  this  world, 
"  the  path  of  the  just  is  as  the  shining  light,  shining  more 
and  more  unto  the  perfect  day."  But  sometimes  the  righ- 
teous suffer,  like  Lazarus,  to  the  end  ;  and  their  full  re- 
ward is  always  hereafter.  This  is  the  abundant  recompense 
— "  If  we  suffer  we  shall  also  reign  with  him."  Christians 
must  count  the  cost,  and  take  up  their  cross  daily  and  fol- 
low Christ,  if  they  would  be  his  disciples,  and  sliare  his 
coming  glory. 

For  the  holy  Scriptures  tell  us  of  a  day  of  wrath  and 
punishment  yet  to  come  upon  the  ungodly.  They  foretel 
a  period  when  the  wicked  shall  go  away  into  everlasting 
punishment,  and  the  righteous  into  life  eternal.  This  may 
■well  guard  us  against  envying  their  present  prosperity. 


PROVIDENCE. 


and  lead  us  rather,  while  fleeing  ourselves  from  the  wrath 
to  come,  to  look  at  them  as  our  Saviour  did  at  Jerusalem, 
with  weeping  and  tender  compassion,  and  earnest  prayers, 
that  they  may  yet  know  the  things  which  belong  to  their 
peace. 

And,  in  the  end,  how  awful  and  destructive  is  God's  pro- 
vidence towards  notorious  sinners  !  Hardened  (as  Pharaoh 
was)  by  the  things  that  should  have  been  for  their  healing, 
he  leaves  them  alone  (as  he  left  the  Ammonites),  till  their 
iniquities  make  them  fully  ripe  for  his  judgment.  Every 
thing  becomes  to  them  an  occasion  of  stumbling  and  fall. 
"  God  endures  with  much  long-sufl-'ering  these  vessels  of 
wrath,"  till  at  length,  after  long  patience  and  forbearance, 
he  executes  his  awful  judgments  upon  them,  and  they  perish 
for  ever. 

Meditation, 

0  Lord,  though  clouds  and  darkness  are  round  about 
thee,  righteousness  and  judgment  are  the  habitation  of  thy 
throne.  Thou  hast  done  all  things  well.  "  Although  the 
tig-tree  shall  not  blossom,  neither  shall  fruit  be  in  the  vines, 
the  labour  of  the  olive  shall  fail,  and  the  fields  shall  yield 
no  meat,  the  flock  shall  be  cut  oft' from  the  fold,  and  there 
shall  be  no  herd  in  the  stalls,  yet  will  I  rejoice  in  the  Lord, 
and  joy  in  the  God  of  my  salvation." 

7.  GOOD  BROUGHT  OUT  OF  EVIL. 

It  may  be  truly  said,  the  world  is  full  of  sin  and  full  of 
misery.  Satan,  the  God  of  this  world,  reigns  in  the  hearts 
of  the  wicked,  and  they  are  the  greater  number  everywhere. 
Evil  has  the  chief  sway  among  men,  and  the  world  is  full 
of  seasonable,  suitable,  and  prevailing  temptations  to  what 
is  wrong.  Tlie  sun  shines,  and  the  rain  descends  upon  the 
evil  as  well  as  the  good,  and  hence,  "  the  fool  hath  said  in 
his  heart.  There  is  no  God."  How  can  this  be  if  there  is 
an  almighty,  wise,  and  gracious  Providence  ! 

Augustine  meets  this  case  well.    He  says,  "  God,  who  is 


76 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


infinitely  good,  would  never  permit  evil,  were  he  not  infi- 
nitely wise,  and  knew  how  to  bring  good  out  of  evil."  It 
is  the  preparation  for  a  greater  good  in  the  end.  When  a 
house  is  to  be  built,  instead  of  the  stones  or  bricks  rising 
at  once  from  the  ground,  the  ground  itself  is  dug  into  for 
a  good  foundation.  When  a  rich  crop  is  to  be  produced, 
the  land  must  be  manured  with  dung  and  soil,  which  seem 
to  cover  the  grass  and  hinder  the  flowers  springing  up,  and 
to  be  quite  opposite  to  the  ends  to  be  attained.  Bishop 
Hopkins  remarks,  "  so  God  permits  wicked  men  to  dung 
the  earth  with  their  filth,  that  those  attributes  of  his  which 
seem  to  be  buried  under  them  may  afterwards  spring  up 
with  the  greater  lustre  and  glory  :  from  hence  he  will  reap 
the  richer  crop  of  praise  to  himself.  Sometimes  he  glori- 
fies the  severity  of  his  justice  by  hardening  them  in  their 
sins  to  their  own  destruction  ;  sometimes  the  riches  of  his 
mercy  by  calling  the  greatest  and  most  flagitious  sinners  to 
repentance,  and  granting  them  pardon  ;  and  always  his 
infinite  patience  and  forbearance  in  not  executing  present 
vengeance  upon  those  who  so  daringly  provoke  him." 

Thus  God  makes  known  to  his  creatures,  by  his  dealings 
with  them,  that  he  is  Jehovah  ;  and  manifests  to  them  his 
own  character,  perfections,  and  glory.  The  permission  of 
evil  has  remarkably  manifested  the  God  of  glory.  By  this 
is  developed  his  truth,  power,  wrath,  justice,  and  holiness 
on  the  one  hand,  and  his  wisdom,  grace,  mercy,  loving- 
kindness,  and  faithfulness  on  the  other,  in  a  way  in  which 
they  never  could  otherwise  have  been  manifested,  not  only 
to  men,  but  also  to  heavenly  beings.  The  apostle  speaks  of 
the  calling  of  the  Gentiles  being  "  to  the  intent  that  now 
unto  the  principalities  and  powers  in  heavenly  places 
might  be  known  by  the  church,  the  manifold  wisdom  of 
God." 

Thus  also  our  God  raises  his  faithful  people  to  eminent 
glory  hereafter.  They  are  prepared  for  this  glory  by  a 
course  of  instruction  and  suffering.  They  are  now  in  the 
state  of  scholars,  in  a  school  where  their  graces  are  to  be 
called  forth,  strengthened,  and  matured  for  their  future 


PROVIDENCE. 


77 


condition,  that  they  may  be  meet  for  the  inheritance  of 
the  saints  in  light.  How  could  repentance,  faith,  patience, 
meekness,  long-suffering-,  truth,  integrity,  love,  and  holi- 
ness, be  felt  in  our  hearts,  or  seen  and  proved,  but  in  such 
a  world  as  that  in  which  we  now  live,  with  such  corrup- 
tions as  we  now  have  within  and  without.  The  world  of 
the  wicked  is  the  furnace  that  purifies  the  gold  of  the 
church  ;  it  is  the  workshop  in  which  the  vessels  of  mercy, 
by  innumerable  touches  and  blows  of  the  tools  of  God's 
providence,  are  made  fit  for  the  mansions  of  bliss  and  glory. 
But  of  all  the  displays  of  good  brought  out  of  evil,  the 
death  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the  most  stupendous,  ex- 
tensive, and  astonishing.  We  shall  know  it  fully  only  in 
eternity. 

What  developements,  also,  will  the  second  coming  of  our 
Lord,  and  the  general  judgment  of  all  men,  and  the  future 
reward  of  the  righteous,  and  punisliment  of  the  wicked, 
make  of  the  wisdom  and  justice,  patience  and  forbearance, 
holiness  and  loving-kindness,  of  all  God's  dealings  with 
men  !  Providence  is  now  all  wrapped  up  like  the  bud  ; — 
it  will  be  opened  when  the  Sun  of  righteousness  returns 
and  shines  in  his  glory. 

Meditation, 

O  Lord,  wonderful  in  counsel,  and  excellent  in  working, 
thou  art  my  God,  I  will  exalt  thee  and  I  will  praise  thy 
name.  It  is  but  little  that  I  can  now  see  of  thy  way,  but 
that  little  shows  me  thou  art  glorious  in  holiness,  fearful  in 
praises,  and  doing  wonders.  Soon  I  hope  to  see  thee  as 
thou  art,  and  know  as  I  am  known  ;  and  till  then,  I  will 
trust  thee,  and  be  assured  that  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth 
must  do  right.  Most  we  glorify  liim  now  when  we  can 
least  fathom  his  counsels,  and  yet  confide  in  his  truth,  and 
holiness,  and  love. 


8.  THE  SIGNS  OF  THE  TIMES. 

The  holy  Scriptures  speak  to  us  very  plainly  of  the  duty 


78 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


of  discerning  the  signs  of  the  times.  "  A  wise  man's  heart 
discerneth  both  time  and  judgment."  Eccles.  viii.  5.  Our 
Saviour  reproved  the  Pharisees  as  hypocrites,  because  they 
could  not  discern  the  signs  of  the  times.  Matt.  xvi.  The 
children  of  Issachar  are  singled  out  as  "  men  that  had  un- 
derstanding of  the  times,  to  know  what  Israel  ought  to  do." 

1  Chron.  xii.  .32.  And  John  the  Baptist  was  merely  re- 
ferred by  our  Lord  to  the  events  tliat  were  then  taking 
place,  as  proving  the  first  coming  of  Christ.  Matt.  xi. 

The  signs  of  the  times  in  which  we  live  are  very  remark- 
able, and  should  by  no  means  be  overlooked  by  the  Chris- 
tian. We  have  seen,  in  the  last  forty  years,  many  revolu- 
tions and  changes,  a  great  overthrow  of  kingdoms,  and  a 
wasting  away  of  the  power  and  wealth  of  Mahomedan  and 
Papal  countries.  We  see  now  a  remarkable  prevalence  of 
iniquity',  answering  to  such  descriptions  as  are  given  in 

2  Tim.  iii.  1 — 5.  2  Pet.  iii.  and  Jude.  We  see  also  a  very 
extraordinary  diffusion  of  tlie  gospel,  corresponding  to 
Rev.  xiv.  5  ;  and  a  concern  for  the  Jews,  corresponding  to 
Psalm  cii.  13,  14.  Rom.  xi.  31.  No  one  can  calmly  and 
wisely  look  on  the  face  of  the  earth  without  seeing  that  the 
present  times  are  very  remarkable.  Many  think  that  they* 
are  such  as  will  rapidlj^  lead  on  to  those  very  remarkable 
changes  in  the  state  of  the  world  wliich  God  has  predicted 
at  the  second  coming  of  our  Lord. 

Now,  we  ought  not  to  be  like  the  scoffers,  who  saj-, 
Where  is  the  promise  of  his  coming  ?  nor  like  the  careless 
servant,  who  says.  My  Lord  delayeth  his  coming  ;  but  ra- 
ther like  the  wise  virgins,  watchful  and  diligent,  gathering 
oil  into  our  vessels,  and  preparing  to  meet  the  Bridegroom, 
that  when  he  comes  he  may  find  us  ready.  The  voice  of 
Providence,  as  well  as  of  the  divine  Redeemer,  seems  espe- 
cially now,  in  the  wasting  of  the  Turkish  empire,  which 
includes  the  river  Euphrates  (Rev.  xvi.  12),  and  in  the  un- 
clean spirits  now  abroad,  to  give  this  lesson  :  "  Behold,  I 
come  as  a  thief.  Blessed  is  he  that  vvatcheth  and  keepeth 
his  garments,  lest  he  walk  naked,  and  they  see  his  shame." 
And  what  a  blessed  hope  is  this  to  the  Christian  !  (Titus 


PROVIDENCE. 


79 


ii.  1.3)  ;  how  holy  and  purifying  ■  (1  John  iii.  1 — 3)  ;  how 
comforting  !  (1  Thess.  iv.  18)  ;  and  liow  infinitely  desir- 
able !  Tlie  last  lingering  words  of  the  book  of  Revelation 
are,  "  He  which  testifieth  these  things  saith,  Surely  I  come 
quickly  ;  "  and  the  reply  of  every  believer  should  be, 
"  Amen,  even  so  come,  Lord  Jesus."  (Rev.  xxii.  21.) 

Prayer  with  reference  to  these  times. 

Lord,  thou  hast  given  me  my  birth  in  remarkable  days, 
full  of  important  events  :  oh  give  me  wisdom  to  discern  the 
signs  of  the  times,  and  to  know  in  this  my  day  the  things 
which  belong  unto  my  peace  !  Often  hast  thou  forewarned 
us  that  thou  wilt  return  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  as  a 
thief,  and  that  thy  day  shall  come  as  a  snare  on  all  them 
that  dwell  on  the  face  of  the  whole  earth  ;  I  earnestly  be- 
seech thee,  then,  to  grant  me  grace,  that  my  heart  may  not 
be  overcharged  with  surfeiting,  and  drunkenness,  and  cares 
of  this  life  ;  but  oh  !  help  me  to  watch  and  pray  always, 
that  I  may  be  counted  worthy  to  escape  all  these  things 
that  shall  come  to  pass,  and  stand  before  the  Sou  of  Man. 
Almighty  Father,  give  me  thy  Spirit,  that  I  may  be  found 
among  tlie  wise  virgins,  ready  for  my  Lord's  coming.  Hear 
me,  for  his  name's  sake.    Amen  ! 

9.  DUE  REGARD  TO  GOd's  PROVIDENCES. 

There  may  be  a  great  abuse  of  Providence  :  as  when  a 
wicked  man  pleads  e  divine  mission  for  his  wickedness  : 
"  The  Lord  said  unto  me.  Go  up  against  this  land,  and  de- 
stroy it,"  (2  Kings  xviii.  25);  or  when  he  pleads  the  uncer- 
tainty of  life  for  self-gratification  :  "  Let  us  eat  and  drink, 
for  to-morrow  we  die  ;  "  or  charges  God  foolishly  :  "  I  am 
tempted  of  God,"  (James  i.  ];>)  ;  "Why  doth  he  yet  find 
fault  1  for  who  hath  resisted  Iiis  will  ?  "  (Rom.  ix.  19.) 

Conformity  to  Providence  is  our  duty.  To  every  thing 
there  is  a  season.  Eccles.  iii.  1.  St.  Paul  learned  how  to 
be  full,  and  how  to  suffer  want.  "  In  the  day  of  adver- 
sity "  we  must  "  consider  ;  despise  not  tlie  chastening  of 


80 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


the  Lord,  nor  faint  when  thou  art  rebuked  of  him.  In  the 
day  of  prosperity  be  joyful  : "  be  thankful  to  the  Giver  of 
all  your  mercies.  Ps.  ciii. 

The  leadings  of  Providence  should  guide  us.  These 
leadings  ■will  sometimes,  like  a  pillar  of  cloud  and  fire, 
make  your  path  clear.  At  other  times  it  will  be  very 
doubtful.  What  God  would  have  us  to  do  is  then  to  be 
gathered,  not  from  our  wishes,  nor  merely  from  impulses 
on  the  mind,  but  from  what,  after  tliought,  prayer,  and 
consulting  with  experienced  and  pious  friends,  appears  by 
liis  word  to  be  the  path  of  duty :  that  will  ever  be  the 
true  wisdom. 

Reliance  on  Divine  Providence  is  a  most  clear  and  blessed 
duty.  "  Take  no  thought  for  your  life,  what  ye  shall  eat, 
or  what  ye  shall  drink,  nor  yet  for  your  body,  what  ye 
shall  put  on.  Is  not  the  life  more  than  meat,  and  the  body 
more  than  raiment  ?  Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God 
and  his  righteousness,  and  all  these  things  shall  be  added 
unto  you."  We  need  not  have  one  anxietj'  about  worldly 
things,  but  should  have  a  noble  confidence  in  God  that  he 
will  provide  for  us,  "  casting  all  your  care  upon  him,  for 
he  careth  for  you."  What  a  superiority  does  this  reliance 
give  in  the  midst  of  the  alarms  and  tumults  of  this  trouble- 
some world  ! 

Constantly  to  observe  the  providence  of  God  is  a  sure 
way  to  see  many.  It  is  an  old  saying — "  He  that  watches 
God's  providences  will  never  want  a  providence  to  watch." 
The  striking  display  of  God's  dealings'with  men,  recorded 
in  the  107th  Psalm,  is  closed  with  this  promise  :  "  Whoso 
is  wise,  and  will  observe  these  things,  even  they  shall  un- 
derstand the  loving-kindness  of  the  Lord."  This  will  show 
us  prayers  answered,  and  quicken  us  to  continued  prayer  ; 
(Psalm  cxvi.  1,  2)  ;  it  will  greatly  increase  our  faith, 
(2  Cor.  i.  10  ;  Matt.  xvi.  9)  ;  and  it  will  furnish  us  with 
abundant  matter  for  praise. 

Providence  must  be  regarded  with  a  direct  reference  to 
God's  word.  That  word  is  a  key  of  Providence.  They 
answer  to  each  other  as  the  key  to  its  lock  ;  or  as  a  full 


PROVIDENCE. 


81 


and  just  exposition  to  a  short  text.  Providence  is  tlie  most 
lively  and  instructive  of  all  commentaries  on  the  word.  It 
is  the  fulfilment  of  promise — the  manifestation  of  threat- 
enings — tlic  accomplishment  of  prophecies — the  living  illus- 
tration of  God's  mind  and  will.  History  is  the  unfolding 
of  Bible  truth  in  actual  life  and  experience,  and  it  answers 
to  it  as  a  key  to  its  lock.  There  is  nothing  happens  to 
you,  or  in  the  world,  of  which  the  Bible  does  not  show 
both  the  spring  and  the  issue.  It  is  a  sure  guide  to  lead 
you  into  that  path  which  conducts  to  true  peace  here,  and 
everlasting  happiness  hereafter. 

A  due  noticing  of  God's  Providence  is  a  great  help  to 
daily  communion  with  the  Father  of  our  mercies.  When 
Jacol)  surveyed  the  way  that  God  had  led  him,  he  said,  "  I 
am  not  worthy  of  the  least  of  all  the  mercies  and  of  all 
the  truth  which  thou  hast  shewed  thy  servant."  This  ob- 
serving of  Providence  led  David  to  see  in  Absalom's  re- 
bellion the  hand  of  God,  and  to  look  through  Shimei's 
curses  to  God's  blessing.  Oli  how  sweet  is  that  Christian 
experience  which  makes  everything  that  happens  a  means 
of  raising  the  heart  to  God — all  our  life  a  Providence — and 
every  Providence  an  act  of  faith  and  love,  of  prayer  and  of 
praise ! 

To  attain  this,  two  things  ai'e  all  essential — 
First,  To  VIEW  everything  in  Christ  Jesus.  He  is 
the  purchaser  and  the  channel  of  every  mercy.  With  him 
God  freely  gives  us  all  things.  Without  liim  we  can  do 
nothing,  and  we  deserve  nothing  but  wrath  ;  but  "  all  are 
yours,"  when  "  ye  are  Christ's." 

Secondly,  To  receive  the  Holy  Ghost.  All  our  suf- 
ficiency being  of  God,  the  gift  of  his  Spirit  is  absolutely 
needful  to  raise  our  hearts  to  communion  witii  the  Father 
of  our  spirits  in  his  daily  Providence. 

Meditation. 

When  David  had  gone  through  the  particulars  of  God's 
Providence  in  the  creation  and  preservation  of  all  things, 
he  concluded  it  thus: — "I  will  sing  unto  the  Lord  as  long  as 


82 


CHRTSTIAN  TRUTH 


I  live  :  I  will  sing  praise  to  my  God  wliile  I  have  ray  being. 
My  meditation  of  him  shall  be  sweet ;  I  will  be  glad  in  the 
Lord."  Psalm  civ.  33,  34.  Oh  that  these  may  be,  more 
and  more,  my  daily  feelings  and  experience  !  Grant,  0 
my  God  !  that  the  steps  of  thy  Providence,  through  thy 
Son,  may  be  as  a  ladder  from  earth  to  heaven,  on  which  I 
ascend  day  by  day,  and  get  nearer  and  nearer  sights  of  thy 
ways  and  glory. 


ON  BEDEMPTION. 


83 


CHAPTER  V. 

ON  REDEMPTION  BT  CHRIST. 

1.  On  the  Nature  of  Redemption— 2.  The  Redeemer— 3.  The  Extent  of 
Redemption — 4.  The  Rejection  of  Redemption — 5.  The  Reception  of  Re- 
demption— 6.  The  Benefits  of  Redemption— 7.  The  Completion  of  Redemp- 
tion. 

1.  ON  THE  NATURE  OF  REDEMPTION. 

The  word  Redemption  means,  to  buy  again  with  a  price. 
It  is  applied  in  the  scriptures  to  the  recovery  of  man  from 
that  state  of  slavery  under  sin  and  death  to  which  his  fall 
had  reduced  him,  by  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  enduring  the 
penalty  of  our  sins,  and  shedding  his  blood  as  our  ransom. 
"  Ye  were  not  redeemed  with  corruptible  things,  as  silver 
and  gold,  from  your  vain  conversation  received  by  tra- 
ditions from  your  fathers  ;  but  with  the  precious  blood  of 
Christ,  as  of  a  Iamb  without  blemish  and  without  spot, 
who  verily  was  fore-ordained  before  the  foundation  of  the 
world,  but  was  manifest  in  these  last  times  for  you  who  by 
him  do  believe  in  God." 

It  includes  tlie  whole  of  man's  recovery  from  his  ruin  : 
the  atonement  made  on  the  cross,  when  Christ  "  put  away 
sin  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself ; "  the  adoption  of  sons, 
(Gal.  iii.  26.)  deliverance  from  the  power  of  sin,  (Matt, 
i.  21.)  and,  finally,  a  rescue  from  the  grave,  hell,  and 
everlasting  ruin,  and  bringing  us  in  the  way  of  holiness, 
to  endless  glory. 

The  divine  justice  requires  the  punishment  of  sin  ;  the 
divine  truth  requires  the  fulfilment  of  God's  threatenings ; 

G  2 


84 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


the  wisdom  of  the  divine  government,  the  good  of  all  crea- 
tion, the  glory  of  God  in  the  establishment  of  his  law — 
which  is  holy,  just,  and  good — demand  that  transgres- 
sors should  die.  To  meet  these,  and  innumerable  other 
claims,  and  yet  to  save  mankind  with  a  holy  salvation, 
"  Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  being 
made  a  curse  for  us."  His  redemption  far  more  illus- 
triously displays  the  divine  perfections  than  if  all  had 
perished.  It  fills  all  holy  creatures  with  wonders  of  ad- 
miration at  the  beauties  and  glories  of  our  God  ;  rescues 
innumerable  lost  souls,  and  causes  their  admiring  love  of 
God,  and  delight  in  him  through  eternity.  While  they 
are  completely  renewed  after  the  divine  image,  the  most 
awfully  righteous  display  of  his  everlasting  wrath  will 
visit  those  who  neglect  such  a  stupendous  provision  of 
grace  and  mercy. 

The  prime  moving  cause  of  this  redemption  is  repre- 
sented to  be  love.  "  God  is  love.  Herein  is  love  :  not  that 
we  loved  God,  but  that  he  loved  us,  and  sent  his  Son  to  be 
the  propitiation  for  our  sins.  In  his  love  and  in  his  pity 
he  redeemed  us."  Boundless,  unfathomable,  inconceivable 
love — a  love  that  j)asseth  knowledge — was  the  cause  of 
our  i-edeniption.  We  can  trace  it  no  higher,  and  in 
this  is  sweet  rest  and  satisfaction  to  our  souls. 

Meditation  on  GocTs  love  in  Redemption, 

It  was  great  love  in  God,  ray  Father,  to  create  me  out 
of  nothing,  a  rational  being,  the  head  of  his  creatures  on 
earth,  and  then  to  surround  me  with  so  many  blessings  as 
he  daily  does  in  his  providence.  But  when  I  had  by  sin 
and  rebellion  forfeited  all,  aud  justly  incurred  his  righteous 
wrath,  0  what  tender  compassion  it  was  that  led  him  in 
his  pit}'  and  love  to  redeem  me  at  such  a  price  !  0  Lord, 
teach  me  to  see,  and  know,  to  believe,  and  rejoice  ever- 
more in  this  love  !  Let  me  not  any  more  wrong  thy  truth, 
and  ruin  my  own  soul  by  the  fearful  guilt  of  unbelief ! 
Work  in  my  heart  true  faith,  the  gift  of  thine  own  Spirit ! 


ON  REDEMPTION. 


85 


2.  THE  REDEEMER. 

This  is  one  of  the  precious  titles  of  our  divine  Saviour, 
in  which  we  shall  through  eternity  rejoice.  "  Thou  wast 
slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to  God  by  thy  blood,  out  of 
every  kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people,  and  nation,"  is  the 
song  of  the  glorified  host  above  ;  and  the  Lord  grant. 
Christian  reader,  that  we  may  be  among  the  happy  num- 
ber of  those  who  shall  for  ever  join  in  it. 

The  name  Redeemer  has  a  reference  to  an  appointment, 
under  the  law  of  Moses,  and  of  the  nearest  kinsman  paying 
the  price  of  the  redemption  of  an  inheritance  (Lev.  xv.), 
and  being  the  avenger  of  l)lood  to  pursue  and  kill  the  mur- 
derer, (Numb.  XXXV.)  Our  Redeemer  both  paid  the  ran- 
som price  for  the  redemption  of  our  souls  and  of  our  for- 
feited inheritance,  and  has  with  his  Almighty  arm  con- 
quered all  our  foes. 

This  glorious  Redeemer  is  tue  true  God  !  (1  John  v. 
20.)  Survey  the  supreme  glory  of  our  Redeemer.  From 
the  beginning  he  had  glory  with  the  Father  before  the 
world  was.  "  As  for  our  Redeemer,  the  Lord  of  Hosts  is 
his  name,  the  Holy  One  of  Israel."  (Isaiah  xlvii.  17.) 
He  can  say,  "  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God  !  "  (Isaiah  xlviii. 
17.)  "  He  is  over  all,  God,  blessed  for  ever  :  "  the  only- 
begotten  Son  of  the  Father, 

This  glorious  being,  as  the  church  of  England  states, 
"  the  Son,  which  is  the  word  of  the  Father,  begotten  from 
everlasting  of  the  Father,  the  very  and  eternal  God,  and  of 
one  substance  with  the  Father,  took  man's  nature  into  the 
womb  of  the  blessed  virgin,  of  her  substance,  so  that  two 
whole  and  perfect  natures,  that  is  to  say,  the  Godhead  and 
Manhood,  were  joined  together  in  one  person,  never  to  be 
divided  ;  whereof  is  one  Christ,  very  God  and  very  man, 
who  truly  suffered,  was  crucified,  dead,  and  buried,  to  re- 
concile his  Father  to  us,  and  to  be  a  sacrifice,  not  only  for 
original  guilt,  but  also  for  actual  sins  of  men." 

0  what  a  mystery  is  here  !  "  God  was  manifest  in  the 


86 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


flesh."  Surely  this  ought  to  attract  and  fill  every  mind, 
and  infinitely  engage  the  afiFection  and  admiration  of  us 
sinners. 

Consider  next  his  humiliatiox  :  "  He  who  was  in  the 
form  of  God,  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant ;  he, 
who  thought  it  no  rohbery  to  be  equal  with  God,  made 
himself  of  no  reputation,  and  being  found  in  fashion  as  a 
man,  humbled  himself,  and  became  obedient  unto  death, 
even  the  death  of  the  cross."  By  hanging  on  that  tree  he 
"  was  made  a  curse  for  us,"  and  so  he  redeemed  us  from 
the  curse.  0  what  a  height  and  depth,  and  length  and 
breadth  of  love,  untold  and  inconceivable  love,  was  there  ! 
"  Though  he  was  rich,  for  our  sakes  he  became  poor,  that 
we,  through  his  poverty,  might  be  rich."  Well  may  the 
scriptures  say,  "  God  commendeth  his  love  to  us,  in  that 
while  we  were  yet  sinnei-s,  Christ  died  for  us." 

Consider  farther  his  exaltation  :  "  Wherefore  God 
also  hath  highly  exalted  him,  and  given  him  a  name  which 
is  above  every  name,  that  at  the  name  of  Jesus  every  knee 
should  bow,  of  things  in  heaven,  and  things  in  earth,  and 
things  under  the  earth  ;  and  that  everj'  tongue  should 
confess  that  Jesus  Christ  is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God,  the 
Father."  Jesus  now  reigns  over  all  things  ;  everything  is 
delivered  into  his  hands.  Our  Redeemer  is  strong  and 
mighty,  omnipotent,  the  Almighty. 

What  then  is  his  character  ?  Beautiful  beyond  all 
expression  ;  unequalled  in  every  perfection  ;  "  chief  among 
ten  thousand  ;  altogether  lovely."  Every  grace,  every 
excellence,  all  wisdom,  holiness,  truth,  equity,  purity, 
love,  and  compassion  centre  in  him  as  its  proper  seat,  and 
flow  from  him  as  its  true  fountain.  No  one  can  know  our 
Redeemer  without  beholding  a  "  glory,  as  of  the  only- 
begotten  of  the  Father,  full  of  grace  and  truth." 

And  he  yet  lives !  "  I  know,"  says  Job,  "  that  my  Re- 
deemer liveth."  He  ever  lives  to  bless  his  people  and  to 
carry  forward  the  gre;it  work  of  their  Redemption.  He 
says,  "  I  am  he  that  liveth,  and  was  dead,  and  behold  I 
am  alive  for  evermore.  Amen,  and  have  the  keys  of  hell 


ON  REDEMPTION. 


87 


and  of  death."  Never,  never  sliall  those  who  trust  in  him 
want  a  Redeemer  :  in  affliction,  in  death,  in  the  grave,  in 
tlie  day  of  judgment,  and  through  eternity.  He  says  : 
"  Because  I  live  ye  shall  live  also." 

Will  he  receive  those  that  go  to  him  ?  Look  at  his  his- 
tory on  earth.  He  is  evermore  the  same  ;  he  rejected  none 
who  came  to  him  on  earth,  and  we  have  his  own  assurance, 
"  Him  that  cometh  unto  me,  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out." 
He  not  only  receives  all  who  come  to  him  ;  but  this  is  the 
only  possible  way  by  which  we  sinful  creatures  can  have 
access  to  God,  and  knowledge  and  enjoyment  of  God. 

Meditation  on  tJiC  Redeemer. 

I  am  invited  to  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God  which  taketh 
away  the  sins  of  the  world  ;  "  and  so  glorious  is  this  ob- 
ject that  all  things,  compared  with  the  excellency  of  the 
knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ,  my  Lord,  are  utterly  worthless. 
0  help  rae  by  thine  own  Spirit,  and  give  me  right  views 
of  the  spiritual  beauty  and  glory  of  Christ,  that  in  him  I 
may  see  God  in  his  beauty  and  perfection,  in  him  may  see 
my  sinfulness,  and  in  him  my  recovery,  and  thus  may  be 
filled  with  ardent  love,  deep  humility,  holy  joy,  and  "  be 
made  meet  for  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light  !  " 

3.  THE  EXTENT  OF  REDEMPTION. 

The  scriptures  use  more  extended  terms  respecting  re- 
demption, as  a  propitiation,  than  they  do  respecting  election, 
sanctification,  and  glorification.  There  is  no  limitation,  as 
it  respects  man  living  in  this  world,  to  the  expressions 
respecting  the  extent  of  redemption.  The  mercy  and  com- 
fort of  this  to  fallen  sinners,  situated  as  we  are,  is  unspeak- 
able. We  are  thus  placed  under  a  gracious  system  of 
restoration  and  recovery.  There  is  nothing  that  need  now 
deter  any  human  being  from  the  fullest  confidence  in  the 
death  of  Jesus,  as  being  a  proi)itiation  for  his  sins.  It  is 
the  duty  of  every  human  being,  if  he  would  not  make  God 
a  liar,  (1  John  v.  10.)  to  "  believe  the  record  that  God  gave 


88 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


of  his  Son."  And  0  how  full  and  precious  is  that  record  1 
The  Lord  give  to  us  simple  faith,  that  our  souls  may  be 
purihed  in  obeying  the  truth  ! 

Tlie  way  in  which  the  holy  scriptures  express  this  truth 
seems  purposely  varied  to  exclude  all  doubt,  fear,  and  un- 
belief, and  to  leave  every  soul  of  man  without  excuse  who 
does  not  believe  God's  word,  and  obtain  peace  and  joy  in 
believing.  The  terms  most  frequently  used,  where  the 
objects  of  Christ's  death  are  mentioned,  are  of  the  most 
large  and  general  nature.  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God, 
which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world,"  (John  i.  29.) 
"  The  Father  sent  the  Son  to  be  the  Saviour  of  the  world." 
(1  John  iv.  14.)  "  God  was  in  Christ  reconciling  the  world 
unto  himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them." 
(2  Cor.  V.  19.)  "  He  is  the  propitiation,  not  for  our  sins 
only,  but  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world."  (1  Jolin  ii.  2.) 
"  All  we  like  sheep  are  gone  astray  ;  the  Lord  hath  laid 
on  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all."  (Isa.  liii.  6.)  "  One  died 
for  ALL."  (2  Cor.  v.  14.)  "  He  gave  himself  a  ransom  for 
all."  (1  Tim.  ii.  6.)  "  That  he  by  the  grace  of  God 
should  taste  death  for  every  man."  (1  Tim.  iv.  10.)  The 
wicked,  who  bring  on  themselves  destruction,  are  described 
"  as  denying  the  Lord  that  bought  them."  The  general 
strain  of  scripture  is  in  this  form  ;  and  the  varied  expres- 
sions must  not  be  diluted  and  lowered  to  meet  any  precon- 
ceived system. 

Never  is  it  said,  Christ  died  only  for  the  elect,  nor  is  there 
any  phrase  that  can  be  so  confined  as  to  make  such  a  sen- 
timent revealed  truth.  Such  expressions  as,  "  Redeemed 
out  of  every  kindred — redeemed  from  tbe  earth  " — apply 
to  another  part  of  redemption  ;  its  completion  in  glory. 
Such  expressions  also  as,  "  1  lay  down  my  life  for  the 
sheep  ;"  (John  x.  15.)  "  the  church  of  God,  which  he  pur- 
chased with  his  own  blood  ;"  (Acts  xx.  28.)  "  Christ  loved 
the  church  and  gave  himself  for  it,  that  he  might  sanctify 
and  cleanse  it,"  (Ephes.  v.  25.) — do  not  limit  redemption 
to  God's  people,  though  they  show  a  special  design  of  love 
for  them  ;  but  they  are  by  no  means  to  be  so  restricted  as 


ON  REDEMPTION. 


89 


if  the  churcli  only  had  a  concern  in  it.  Tiiis  would  be, 
without  any  just  foundation,  to  make  one  part  of  scripture 
to  contradict  plain  and  positive  dechirations  in  another. 
It  would  1)6  in  opposition  to  our  Lord's  word  :  "  God  sent 
not  his  Son  into  the  world  to  condemn  the  world,  but  that 
the  world  through  him  naight  be  saved."  (John  iii.  17.) 
We  must  not  add  to  God's  word  such  expressions  as  the 
"  elect"  world,  or  the  "  Gentile  "  world.  (Rev.  xxii.  18.) 
That  God  is  the  "  Saviour  of  all  men,  specially  of  those 
that  believe,"  expresses  that  truth  to  which  these  passages 
of  scripture  lead  us.  This  view  furnishes  a  foundation  of 
faith  on  which  the  soul  of  any  sinner  whatever  may  rest. 
It  enables  the  minister  without  reserve  to  obey  the  divine 
direction  :  "  Go  ye  into  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature."  It  also  leaves  every  unbeliever  under  the 
aggravated  condemnation  of  rejecting  redemption. 

Our  redemption,  as  it  was  completed  on  the  cross,  con- 
cerns the  removal  of  sin,  leaving  us  in  a  state  of  hope  and 
under  a  day  of  grace  ;  this  work  was  accomplished  by  the 
death  of  Christ.  Jesus  said  on  the  cross,  "  It  is  finished." 
His  death  was  "  a  full,  perfect,  and  sufficient  oblation  and 
satisfaction  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world  ;  "  not  merely 
as  it  regarded  some  of  the  Gentiles  in  addition  to  the  Jews, 
nor  merely  as  it  regarded  the  sufficiency  of  the  price  paid, 
but  as  it  placed  the  fallen  human  race  under  a  dispensation 
of  grace  and  mercy,  with  the  removal  of  every  impediment 
to  our  full  restoration  to  holiness  and  happiness,  unless  we 
wilfully  reject  so  great  salvation.  Jesus  dying  for  all  men 
opens  a  spring  of  peace,  holiness,  and  joy,  to  which  the 
most  vile  and  guilty  may,  by  faith,  have  free  access.  The 
most  polluted  sinner,  believing  God's  record,  can  now 
freely  go  to  God  as  a  loving  father  without  one  good  thing 
in  him  to  recommend  him,  and  notwithstanding  all  his 
evil  deeds.  The  barrier  of  sin  is  removed  by  the  death  of 
Jesus  for  all. 

The  Church  of  England  most  scripturally  states  the  ex- 
tent of  redemption,  in  that  beautiful  explanation  of  the 
apostle's  creed,  which  is  in  itself  a  little  body  of  divine 


90 


CHRISTXAN  TRtJTH  I 


truth.  "  1st.  I  learn  to  believe  in  God  the  Father,  who 
made  me  and  all  the  world."  This  is  universal  creation. 
"  2nd.  In  God  the  Son,  who  redeemed  me  and  all  man- 
kind." This  is  general  redemption  of  the  whole  human 
race.  "  rird.  In  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  sanctifieth  me 
and  all  the  elect  people  of  God."  This  is  distinguishing 
grace  to  the  elect,  making  them  meet  for  glory. 

Archbishop  Usher  thus  forcibly  expresses  the  extent  of 
Christ's  redemption.  "  The  Lamb  of  God,  offering  himself 
a  sacrifice  for  the  sins  of  the  world,  intended,  by  giving 
satisfaction  to  God's  justice,  to  make  the  nature  of  man 
which  he  assumed  a  fit  subject  for  mercy,  and  to  prepare  a 
sovereign  medicine  that  should  not  only  be  a  sufficient 
cure  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world,  but  also  should  be 
laid  open  to  all,  and  denied  to  none,  that  indeed  do  take 
the  benefit  thereof :  for  he  is  mufh  deceived  that  thinks  a 
preaching  of  a  bare  sufficiency  is  able  to  yield  a  sufficient 
ground  of  comfort  to  a  distressed  soul,  without  giving  a 
farther  way  to  it  and  opening  a  farther  passage." 

But  may  not  this  doctrine  of  Christ  dying  for  all,  open 
the  flood-gates  of  licentiousness  ?  If  I  believe  that  Christ 
atoned  for  my  guilt,  and  that  my  sin  is  put  away  by  his 
sacrifice,  before  I  did  anything  to  improve  the  blessing, 
may  I  not  live  as  I  please  1  No,  it  is  impossible  that  you 
should  believe  it,  and  live  so.  You  do  not  believe  that 
Christ  has  put  away  your  sins,  if  you  can  go  on  in  sin 
against  him.  "  Faith  woiketh  by  love."  The  redemption 
is  effected  in  such  a  way  as,  if  really  believed,  makes  sin 
infinitely  hateful,  and  God  infinitely  lovely,  glorious,  and 
delightful,  even  to  a  fallen  sinner.  Jesus,  the  only-be- 
gotten Son  of  God,  was  given  to  humiliation,  anguish,  and 
bitter  sorrows,  to  a  painful  and  agonizing  death,  and  all  this 
was  endured  that  our  sins  might  be  pardoned  :  really  believe 
this,  and  his  death  becomes  the  death  of  sin,  and  a  door  is 
opened  for  love  to  God  and  man  that  nothing  else  can  open. 
You  have  not  faith  if  you  have  not  love. 

What  remains  then,  Christians,  but  for  us  to  receive  the 
joyful  truth  ;  to  believe  God's  own  word  that  our  Lord 


ON  REDEMPTION. 


91 


Christ  has  put  away  sin  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself,  and  that 
•'God  was  in  Christ  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself, 
not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them.  O  see  here,  sinner, 
the  heart  of  God  opened  to  thee,  full  of  love,  and  removing 
the  barrier  between  thee  and  him,  so  that  no  angel  above 
may  more  freely  go  to  thy  God  than  thou,  a  poor  wretched 
sinner,  may  now  go  by  Christ  Jesus.  Thou  honourest  God 
by  believing-  fully  his  word,  and  thus  going  to  him  as  thy 
loving  Father  for  all  that  thou  wantest. 

ifeditation. 

0  joyful  news  !  0  good  tidings  !  Christ  died  for  all,  and 
therefore  for  me,  and  has  put  away  my  sins.  Lord,  help 
me  to  believe  thy  word  with  undoubting  faith,  and  to  live 
in  that  blessed  faith  against  all  the  assaults  of  the  world, 
the  flesli,  and  the  devil.  Deliver  me  from  unbelief — the 
evil  heart  of  unbelief,  which  continually  besets  me,  and 
enable  me  to  venture  all  on  thy  faithful  promises  in  Christ 
Jesus. 

4.   THE  REJECTION  OF  REDEMPTION  BY  THK  WICKED. 

Though  our  Lord  Christ  died  for  all  (2  Cor.  v.  15), 
"  and  gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all  "  (1  Tim,  ii,  6),  yet 
it  is  perfectly  clear  that  all  are  not  everlastingly  saved  by 
him.  Multitudes,  notwithstanding  his  redemption,  perish 
with  an  aggravated  ruin  :  "  Of  how  much  sorer  punish- 
ment suppose  ye,  shall  he  be  thought  worthy,  who  hath 
trodden  under  foot  the  Son  of  God,  and  hath  counted  the 
blood  of  the  covenant,  wherewith  he  was  sanctified,  an 
unholy  thing,  and  hath  done  despite  unto  the  spirit  of 
grace." 

The  gospel  is  the  richest  and  fullest  display  the  world 
has  ever  seen,  of  the  loving-kindness,  tender  compassion, 
and  unspeakable  grace  of  our  God.  Nor  is  there  one  im- 
pediment to  man's  receiving  it  ;  but  that  he  loves  sin  rather 
than  holiness :  "  This  is  the  condemnation,  that  light  has 


92 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


come  into  the  world,  and  men  love  darkness  rather  than 
light,  because  their  deeds  are  evil."  They  cannot  bear  tc 
see  the  extent  of  divine  love,  and  the  riches  of  divine  grace, 
to  us  when  enemies,  because  they  must  then  see  how  hateful 
their  hearts  have  been  ;  what  an  evil  thing  sin  is,  and  they 
must  loathe  and  abhor  themselves,  and  henceforth  aim  in 
everything,  with  their  whole  souls,  to  live  to  God.  They 
wish  not  for  the  Holy  Spirit  that  Jesus  bestows,  for  it 
would  lead  them  from  every  sinful  indulgence.  The 
gospel  takes  away  all  excuse  for  a  life  of  sin,  and  there- 
fore the  gospel,  in  its  holy  efficacy,  is  hateful  to  our  na- 
tural heart,  which,  when  left  to  itself,  delights  in  the  ways 
of  sin. 

But  those  that  thus  reject  the  gospel,  "  deny  the  Lord 
that  bought  them,  and  bring  upon  themselves  quick  de- 
struction." God  made  a  liar  !  mercy  abused  !  the  Son  of 
God  trampled  upon  !  pardon  rejected  !  sin  chosen  !  Satan 
preferred  !  O  sinner,  sinner,  stop  and  consider  what  art 
thou  doing  ?  whither  art  thou  rushing  ?  what  art  thou  pre- 
paring for  thyself  1 

Say  not,  "  I  would  believe,  but  I  cannot !  "  You  reverse 
the  truth.  It  is  "  I  cannot  believe,  because  I  will  not." 
There  is  a  full  provision  of  mercy  made  for  you,  and  you 
have  only  to  believe  that  God  speaks  the  truth.  0  put 
away  j-our  own  enmity  and  alienation  of  mind,  and  come 
to  God  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  ask  for  his  Spirit,  and 
that  he  will  take  away  the  evil  heart  of  unbelief,  and 
give  you  the  gift  of  faith,  and  you  shall  receive  a  new  and 
a  belie\'ing  heart.  "  Be  reconciled  to  God."  Redemption 
is  a  discriminating  test,  developing  the  wickedness  of  your 
heart.  "  Christ  crucified  is  to  the  Jews  a  stumbling-block, 
and  to  the  Greeks  foolishness — but  unto  them  which  are 
called,  both  Jews  and  Greeks,  Christ  is  the  power  of  God 
and  the  wisdom  of  God."  If  you  reject  the  gospel,  it  is 
because,  preferring  sin  and  rebellion  to  holiness  and  obe- 
dience, you  charge  God  with  falsehood.  You  voluntarily 
choose  the  wages  of  sin,  which  is  death,  and  reject  the  gift 
of  God,  which  is  eternal  life.    You  set  your  own  wisdom 


ON  REDEMPTION. 


93 


above  God,  and  perversely  make  that  which  he  sets  forth 
for  your  life  the  means  of  your  everlasting  death. 

Say  not  it  is  the  extent  of  your  sin  that  keeps  you  from 
trusting  in  Christ  !  Indeed  it  is  not  so.  That  is  merely 
the  pretext  by  which  your  proud  evil  heart  of  unbelief 
allows  you  to  continue  peacefully  in  a  state  of  rebellion. 
Under  the  gospel  we  are  taught,  that  all  manner  of  sin  is 
put  away  by  the  death  of  Christ.  The  real  truth  is,  you  will 
not  take  God  at  his  word.  Who  could  be  more  deplorably 
sinful  than  Israel  as  described  by  Isaiah :  "  Rulers  of  So- 
dom, people  of  Gomorrah,"  and  with  this  the  hypocritical 
observance  of  everj'  form  of  religion  ?  Yet  to  them  the  in- 
vitation goes,  "  Wash  you,  make  you  clean,  put  away  the 
evil  of  your  doings  from  before  mine  eyes,  cease  to  do  evil, 
learn  to  do  well.  Come  now  and  let  us  reason  togetiier, 
saith  the  Lord  ;  though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall 
be  as  white  as  snow  ;  though  they  be  red  like  crimson, 
they  shall  be  as  wool."  0  my  poor  fellow-sinner  reject- 
ing redemption,  I  entreat  thee,  pause  ;  there  is  salvation 
bought  witli  blood  for  thee  ;  free,  complete,  all-sufficient ! 
What  will  be  thy  guilt  if  thou  count  thyself  unworthy  of 
eternal  life,  when  God  himself  sets  it  before  thee  as  a  free 
gift? 

Meditation. 

Is  it  indeed  so  that  I  am  insulting  God,  wronging  my 
own  soul,  and  rushing  to  eternal  ruin,  simply  by  my  un- 
belief? "0  Lord,  show  me  the  true  state  of  my  soul! 
Thou  hast  said,  0  Jesus,  that  thy  Spirit  shall  "  convince 
the  world  of  sin  because  they  believe  not  on  thee  !  "  0 
teach  me  my  true  state  !  O  lead  me  by  thine  own  Spirit 
to  thyself  !  May  my  God  enable  me  to  confide  in  all  that 
he  has  said  concerning  his  Son,  that  I  may  give  him  glory 
by  believing  his  truth. 

•  ).    THE  RECEPTION   OF  REDEMPTION  BY  THE  BELIKVER. 

Affecting  are  the  words  of  St.  John  respecting  the  gen- 


94 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


eral  rejection  of  the  Redeemer.  "  He  came  unto  his  own, 
and  his  own  received  him  not  ;  "  but  blessed  be  God,  it  is 
not  universally  thus  :  there  were  among  them  at  the  be- 
ginning those  led  to  see  the  immense  magnitude  of  em- 
bracing this  salvation  ;  they  "  beheld  his  glory,  the  glory 
as  of  the  only-begotten  of  the  Father,  full  of  grace  and 
truth  :  "  and  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  they 
cordially  welcomed  Christ  as  the  only  Saviour." 

Believing  in  the  name  of  Jesus  is  a  real  reception  of 
redemption,  and  its  true  source  is  God's  imparting  to  us 
divine  power  in  the  new  birth  (John  i.  12).  True  faith  is 
really  believing  all  that  God  has  testified  respecting  his 
Son  (1  John  v.  9,  10).  God  has  in  various  ways  from  the 
beginning  given  testimony  concerning  Jesus.  That  chapter 
of  Isaiah  which  most  distinctly  speaks  of  the  unbelief  of 
man  (Isaiah  liii.  1),  most  fully  speaks  of  what  Christ  is, 
and  what  he  has  done.  "  He  was  wounded  for  our  trans- 
gressions, he  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities,  the  chastisement 
of  our  peace  was  upon  him,  and  with  his  stripes  we  are 
healed  ;  the  Lord  hath  laid  on  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all." 
Faith  gives  credit  to  God  ;  believes  that  this  is  true,  infal- 
libly true,  that  God  means  what  he  says.  In  doing  this, 
faith  sees  that  God  is  so  full  of  love  to  man,  and  of  such 
tender  compassion  to  lost  sinners,  that  "  he  spai'ed  not  his 
own  Son,  but  delivered  him  up  for  us  all."  Faith  also 
sees  that  sin  is  effectually  removed  from  the  sinner,  and  no 
longer  charged  to  his  account.  "  Christ  was  made  sin  for 
us,  that  we  might  be  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in 
him."  In  doing  this,  faith  really  acknowledges  the  hor- 
rible nature  of  sin  ;  that  its  tremendous  malignity  was  such 
in  the  sight  of  God  that  he  took  this  marvellous  way  to 
remove  our  transgressions,  even  the  wounds,  and  bruises, 
and  death  of  his  only-begotten  Son.  Hence  spring  up  hatred 
of  sin,  love  to  God,  delight  in  him,  walking  with  him,  and 
the  whole  life  of  faith,  hope  and  love. 

This  true  reception  of  redemption  and  its  effects  does  not 
come  naturally,  but  in  the  way  of  God's  wise  and  holy  ap- 
pointment ;  by  means  adapted,  as  all  God's  means  are,  in 


ON  REDEMPTION. 


95 


infinite  wisdom,  for  their  designed  end,  and  in  means  made 
effectual  by  his  own  imparted  grace.  Tiiere  is  "  tlie  ex- 
ceeding greatness  of  liis  power"  put  fortli  "  to  us  who  be- 
lieve, according  to  the  working  of  his  mighty  power." 
Such  is  our  natural  blindness  and  hardness  of  heart,  so  far 
are  we  "  alienated  from  the  life  of  God  througli  the  igno- 
rance that  is  in  us,"  that  we  should  reject  all  this  display 
of  mercy,  did  not  sovereign  grace  provide  for  this  our  great 
necessity,  and  make  those,  who  are  truly  born  of  God, 
willing  in  the  day  of  God's  power  :  thus  working  "  in  them 
to  will  and  to  do  of  God's  good  pleasure,"  that  they  may 
"  work  out  their  own  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling." 
Jesus  has  received  the  Holy  Spirit  for  us  as  well  as  merited 
our  justification. 

Nor  is  it  one  act  of  faith,  but  a  constant  succession  of 
acts  all  through  a  believer's  life,  which  maintains  his  spi- 
ritual life  ;  ever  coming  to  Jesus  for  pardon  and  strength  ; 
ever  going  to  God  as  our  portion  and  joy  by  him  ;  ever  re- 
ceiving out  of  his  inexhaustible  fulness  those  gifts  of  the 
Spirit  which  he  has  received  for  the  rebellious  ;  doing  all 
things  by  Christ  which  strengtheneth  us. 

0  blessed  life  !  To  be  nothing,  that  Christ  may  be  every 
thing  ;  to  be  "  translated  from  the  kingdom  of  darkness 
into  the  kingdom  of  God's  dear  Son  ;  "  to  live  in  the  con- 
stant atmosphere  of  God's  love  ;  to  delight  ourselves  in 
him  ;  to  have  no  barrier  between  God  and  our  souls.  O 
glorious  light  of  life,  to  have  the  same  mind  with  God,  and 
his  will  our  will,  and  his  glory  our  glory,  and  a  perfect  one- 
ness with  all  holy  and  happy  beings  even  for  ever.  How 
sweetly  the  apostle  speaks  upon  it :  "  If  when  we  were 
enemies  we  were  reconciled  to  God  by  the  death  of  his 
Son,  much  more  being  reconciled  we  shall  be  saved  by  his 
life  :  and  not  only  so,  but  we  also  joy  in  God  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  we  have  now  received  the 
atonement." 

Meditation. 

From  the  scriptural  ground  of  Christ  giving  himself  a 


9G 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


rausom  for  all,  what  a  view  I  get  of  the  specialty  and 
sovereignty  of  his  grace  in  personal  election.  When  I  see 
a  blasphemer,  a  persecutor  and  injurious,  rebelling  against 
him  who  bought  him  with  his  blood, — when  I  see  such  a 
one  obtaining  mercy  by  sovereign  and  distinguishing 
grace,  then  I  see  the  riches  of  electing  love.  From  this 
ground  I  get  also  the  most  awful  views  of  the  guilt  of  those 
who  perish,  seeing  they  deny  him  "  who  bought  them  with 
his  blood,"  and  "  trample  under  foot  the  Son  of  God." 
From  this  ground  I  perceive  the  righteous  character  of  the 
future  judgment :  it  is  a  judgment  of  my  conduct  under  a 
dispensation  of  the  richest  grace,  being  bought  with  the 
blood  of  the  Son  of  God  ;  hence  my  responsibility  is  most 
awful,  and  my  sin  of  rejecting  God's  love  most  tremendous. 
From  this  ground  I  see  the  loving-kindness  and  the  holiness 
of  my  God  so  united,  that  both  are  infinitely  delightful  to 
me  a  sinner  :  Christ  has  the  Spirit  for  me,  every  barrier  is 
removed,  and  I  have  the  freest  access  in  this  day  of  grace 
now  to  him  as  my  loving  Father.  Lord,  "  help  my  unbe- 
lief ; "  Lord,  give  me  faith. 

6.  THE  BENEFITS  OF  REDEMPTION. 

Immense  are  the  blessings  of  redemption. 

1.  Consider  the  evils  from  which  it  delivers  us.  With- 
out redemption  we  are  under  the  curse  of  the  broken  law. 
All  the  benefits  which  God  had  conferred  on  man  origin- 
ally are  forfeited  and  lost  by  our  fall.  The  curse  deprives 
us  of  them.  The  whole  creation  is  subject  to  vanity,  groan- 
ing and  travailing  in  pain  together,  and  every  thing  brings 
us  misery.  We  are  in  bondage  to  Satan,  who  works  in  the 
children  of  disobedience,  leading  them  captive  at  his  will. 
We  are  alienated  from  God  and  at  enmity  with  him  by 
wicked  works,  and  what  situation  can  be  more  dreadful 
than  for  the  creature  to  be  hating  that  God  on  whom  he 
depends  for  life,  and  breath,  and  all  things.  We  are  liable 
to  afflictions,  sorrows,  pains,  and  sufferings  from  every  pai't 
of  God's  creation.    He  has  millions  of  weapons  to  punish 


ON  REDEMPTION. 


!)7 


the  rebellious.  The  fear  and  terror  of  wrath  to  come — tlie 
judginent-day — the  last  sentence — the  devourinq;  fire  and 
everlasting  burnings.  0  what  horrible  evils  are  these  I  to 
have  body  and  soul  cast  into  hell- fire,  where  the  worm  dieth 
not,  and  the  fire  is  not  quenched  ! 

It  is  only  from  the  long-suffering  of  God,  his  goodness 
that  would  lead  men  to  repentance,  his  forbearance  and 
compassion,  and  his  restraining  power,  that  all  these  evils 
break  not  upon  the  ungodly,  and  send  them  not,  in  a  mo- 
ment, swiftly  to  everlasting  destruction.  The  wrath  to 
come  is  hanging  over  us  ;  and  it  is  infinitely  aggravated 
to  those  refusing  Christ,  that  it  is  "  the  wrath  of  the 
Lamb.  In  the  great  day  of  his  wrath — who  shall  be  able 
to  stand  !  " 

But  Christ  endured  the  evil  which  we  had  merited, 
obtained  for  us  the  good  which  we  had  forfeited,  and  thus 
has  in  himself  eternal  redemption  and  all  spiritual  bless- 
ings for  our  use.  It  pleased  the  Father  that  "  in  him  should 
ii.ll  fulness  dwell  ;  "  as  our  head  and  Lord,  he  has  all  things 
for  us.  And  in  him  we  have  reconciliation,  and  all  other 
fruits  of  redemption.  But  all  has  to  be  received  by  us  from 
him  through  faith.  "  Of  his  fulness  have  all  we  received, 
and  grace  for  grace."  Receiving  Jesus,  according  to  the 
testimony  which  God  has  given  of  him,  is  the  turning- 
!  oint  of  our  salvation,  and  this  faith  is  a  divine  gift,  the 
v.ork  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  tlie  effect  of  that  new  birth 
'  which  is  not  of  blood,  nor  nf  the  will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of 
t!ie  will  of  man,  but  of  God."  If  we  receive  it  not,  we  are 
like  the  debtor  owing  10,000  talents,  whom  his  Lord  first 
forgave,  and  then  seeing  he  manifested  an  unforgiving 
spirit,  cast  him  into  prison  for  that  cruelty,  and  brought 
upon  him  all  the  fault  of  his  former  debt,  with  the  fearful 
aggravation  of  having  aljused  his  forgiving  love. 

The  BENEFITS  of  redemption  are  very  many  and  ver\^ 
great.  We  will  notice  reconciliation,  forgiveness,  justifi- 
cation, adoption,  sanctification,  and  eternal  life. 

Reconciliation.  The  Messiah  was  predicted  as  one 
who  was  to  make  reconciliation  for  iniquity,  and  to  bring- 


98 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


in  everlasting  rigliteousness.  "  When  we  were  enemies, 
we  were  reconciled  to  God  by  the  death  of  his  Son." 
This  "  word  of  reconciliation,"  ministers  have  to  preach, 
and  the  moment  the  death  of  Christ  for  our  sins  is  truly 
believed,  and  we  thus  "  receive  the  atonement  "  (Rom.  v. 
11)  that  moment  the  enmity  of  our  carnal  hearts  against 
God  and  man  is  removed.  Jesus  "  is  our  peace,"  blunging 
"  us  nigh  to  God  by  his  blood,"  and  "  reconciling  both  " 
Jew  and  Gentile  "  unto  God,  in  one  body  by  the  cross, 
having  slain  the  enmity  thereby."  0  precious  result  of 
redemption  received !  it  takes  away  my  hatred  of  him 
whose  name  is  light  and  love,  and  brings  me  at  once,  a 
happy  being,  into  the  light  of  his  countenance. 

Forgiveness.  This  goes  along  with  reconciliation. 
2  Cor.  V.  19.  By  suffering  the  penalt\'  of  the  law,  Christ 
removed  that  penalty  from  sinners.  "  We  have  redemp- 
tion through  his  blood,  the  forgiveness  of  sins,  according  to 
the  riches  of  his  grace."  It  is  forgiveness  by  "  redemption 
through  his  blood,"  and  therefore  there  was  a  real  and 
most  costly  price  paid  for  it  ;  and  our  work  is  simply  to 
believe  God's  word,  and  rejoice  in  God's  love.  O  what 
good  tidings  for  poor  sinners  are  these  !  But  we  must  dis- 
criminate here  between  forgiveness  and  the  actual  recep- 
tion of  forgiveness.  Forgiveness  is  complete  in  Christ 
already  for  you  ;  believe  God's  love  to  you,  and  it  is  truly 
received  by  you  and  becomes  a  sweet  spring  of  love  and 
holiness  in  your  heart. 

Adoption  is  also  another  fruit  of  redemption.  '•'  When 
the  fulness  of  time  was  come,  God  sent  forth  his  Son,  made 
of  a  woman,  made  under  the  law,  to  redeem  them  that 
were  under  the  law,  that  we  might  receive  the  adoption  of 
sons."  This  rich  privilege  is  set  before  us  in  the  gospel. 
"  Behold  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  bestowed 
upon  us,  that  we  should  be  called  the  sons  of  God."  The 
voice  of  the  gospel  is,  "  Come  out  from  among  them  and 
be  ye  separate,  and  I  will  receive  you,  and  ye  shall  be  my 
sons  and  daughters,  saith  the  Lord  Almighty."  This  rich 
privilege  is  enjoyed  by  us  the  moment  we  believe  in  J esus. 


ON  REDEMPTION. 


09 


"  To  as  many  as  received  him,  to  them  gave  he  power  to 
become  the  sons  of  God,  even  to  them  that  believe  on  his 
name." 

Justification,  or  being  acquitted  and  dealt  with  as 
righteous,  was  purcliased  by  redemption.  "  Being  justified 
freely  by  his  grace  througli  the  redemption  that  is  in  Clirist 
Jesus,  whom  God  liath  set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation  through 
faith  in  his  blood.  He  was  delivered  for  our  offences,  and 
raised  again  for  our  justification."  The  ground  of  our 
acquittal  fi-om  guilt  is  solely  the  death  and  resurrection  of 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  His  resurrection  proved  that  his 
work  was  accepted,  and  now  through  him  sinners  stand 
free  from  guilt.  "  By  the  offence  of  one,  judgment  came 
upon  all  men  to  condemnation,  even  so  by  the  righteousness 
of  one,  the  free  gift  came  upon  all  men  unto  justification 
of  life."  Ministers  now  go  forth  with  the  proclamation  of 
the  good  tidings  of  great  joy,  that  "  now  in  this  accepted 
time,"  now  in  the  day  of  grace,  tliere  is  justification  for 
the  ungodly,  there  is  a  Saviour,  which  is  Christ  the 
Lord."  0  for  precious  faith  in  God's  word  to  realize  the 
benefit  which  Christ  has  obtained  for  us  !  "  Him  has  God 
set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation  through  faith  in  his  blood." 
Righteousness  is  ready  for  us  in  Christ  the  Lord.  Faith 
receives  it  and  blesses  God  for  it. 

Sa NOTIFICATION  flows  froiu  redemption  through  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Christ  our  Lord  "  loved  the 
church  and  gave  himself  for  it,  that  he  might  sanctify  and 
cleanse  it  with  the  washing  of  water  by  the  word,  that  he 
might  present  it  to  himself,  a  glorious  church,  not  having 
spot  or  wrinkle  or  any  such  thing,  but  that  it  should  be 
holy  and  without  blemish."  So  he  is  said  again  to  "  give 
himself  that  he  might  redeem  us  from  all  iniquit}',  and 
purify  us  uuto  himself,  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good 
works."  (Titus  ii.  14.)  It  is  only  in  redemption  that  a 
poor  fallen  sinner  can  gain  real  holiness,  which  is  love, 
causing  devotedness  to  God  with  the  whole  heart.  But  in 
redemption  I  see  God  all  light,  all  love,  all  glory,  all  hatred 
of  sin,  and  intensely  loving  the  sinner  ;  and  thus  by  re- 

H  2 


100 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


demption  I  get  to  love  God  with  ardent  love  from  his 
having  so  first  loved  me,  and  I  thus  ohtain  all  the  tresh 
springs  of  holiness  and  entire  devotedness.  The  Holy 
Ghost  given  by  Christ,  my  Redeemer,  in  the  use  of  God's 
means  of  grace,  shews  me  these  things,  and  makes  me  holy 
by  them. 

Eternal  life  is  the  last  gift  which  we  will  notice,  as 
the  crowning  gift  of  God's  loving-kindness  in  redemption. 
"  God  hath  given  us  eternal  life,  and  tliis  life  is  in  his  Son  ; 
he  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life,  and  he  that  hath  not  the 
Son  hath  not  life."  Thus,  you  see,  this  precious  gift,  like 
all  the  rest,  is  in  Christ  for  our  use  ;  a  free  gift  of  the  rich 
grace  of  our  loving  Father.  And  what  is  life,  eternal  life  ? 
O  how  important  to  have  clear  views  upon  this  point  !  It 
is  not  mere  deliverance  from  danger  and  safety  from  evil — 
it  is  not  mere  animal  happiness,  or  intellectual  enjoyments. 
"This  is  life  eternal,  to  know  thee  the  only  true  God,  and 
Jesus  Christ  whom  thou  hast  sent."  To  enter  into  the 
divine  mind,  character  and  glorj-  ;  to  see  God  as  he  is,  in- 
finitely lovely,  and  in  the  conviction  of  his  excellencies 
from  a  full  heart,  to  exclaim,  "  How  great  is  his  goodness 
and  how  great  is  his  beauty  I By  Christ  to  enter  into 
that  bright  light  in  which  God  ever  dwells,  and  in  his  light 
to  see  light  ;  to  behold  his  glory  in  the  face  of  Jesus :  this 
is  eternal  life  begun  here,  and  which  will  be  perfected  here- 
after when  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is,  and  know  as  we  are 
known,  God  is  the  happy  oxe  ;  to  share  in  the  same  holy 
happiness,  to  partake  of  his  bliss — this,  and  nothing  less,  is 
eternal  life. 

Meditation. 

0  ixexhatstible,  unfathomable,  boundless  love  ! 
"  Behold  what  manner  of  love  the  Father  hath  bestowed 
upon  us  ! "  Blessed  Saviour,  let  me  constantly  be  looking 
to  thee,  and  in  thy  face  see  more  and  more  of  this  light  of 
the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God,  till  I  attain  the  same 
mind,  and  become  wholly  like  thee  ! 


ON  REDEMPTIOX. 


101 


7.  THE  COMPLETION  OF  REDEMPTION. 

The  purchase  of  redemption  was  completed  on  the  cross. 
The  beneficial  effects  of  redemption  will  last  through  eter- 
nity. The  scriptures  shew  us  that  Christians  have  now 
only  the  seal  and  earnest  of  that  completed  redemption 
which  we  shall  have. 

St.  Paul  tells  the  Ephesians,  "  After  that  ye  believed,  ye 
were  sealed  with  that  holy  spirit  of  promise,  which  is  the 
earnest  of  our  inheritance,  until  the  redemption  of  the 
purchased  possession  unto  the  praise  of  his  glory."  Chris- 
tians have  a  glorious  inheritance,  it  is  a  sure  possession,  it 
was  purchased  by  the  blood  of  Jesus,  and  we  are  waiting 
for  its  complete  enjoyment.  We  are  in  the  situation  of 
heirs,  "  heirs  of  God  and  joint  heirs  with  Cnrist ; "  and 
under  the  teaching  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  are  preparing  for 
the  possession  of  our  future  glory. 

This  was  the  hope  of  the  church  from  the  beginning. 
Job  expresses  it  with  that  remarkable  introduction,  "  0 
that  my  words  were  graven  with  an  iron  pen  and  lead  in 
the  rock  for  ever  !  "  What  is  it  he  is  thus  anxious  to  re- 
cord 1 — his  hope  in  final  redemption  :  "  For  I  know  that 
my  Redeemer  liveth,  and  that  he  shall  stand  at  the  latter 
day  upon  the  earth  ;  and  though  after  my  skin,  worms 
destroy  this  body,  yet  in  my  flesh  shall  I  see  God."  Job 
xix.  24.  Hosea  brings  a  glorious  promise  of  a  similar  kind  : 
"  I  will  ransom  them  from  the  power  of  the  grave,  I  will 
redeem  them  from  death.  0  death  I  will  be  thy  plague  !  O 
grave,  I  will  be  thy  destruction  ! "  Hos.  xiii.  14.  Isaiah  tells 
us,  "He  will  swallow  up  death  in  victory,  and  the  Lord  God 
will  wipe  away  tears  from  off  all  faces."  Isa.xxv.8.  And  both 
these  passages  St.  Paul  applies  to  the  future  resurrection 
in  that  glowing  description  of  the  glory  yet  to  come,  to  be 
given  to  the  children  of  God,  when  they  enter  an  1  inherit 
'  the  kingdom  of  God.  "  In  a  moment,  in  the  twinkling  of 
I  an  eye,  at  the  last  trump  ;  fot  the  trumpet  shall  sound,  and 
I  the  dead  shall  be  raised  incorruptible,  and  we  shall  be 
j    changed.    For  this  coiTuptible  shall  put  on  incorruption, 

I 


102 


CHKISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


and  this  mortal  shall  put  on  immortality  ;  then  shall  be 
brought  to  pass  the  saying  that  is  written  :  Death  is  swal- 
lowed up  in  victory.  0  death,  where  is  thy  sting  ?  0 
grave,  where  is  thy  victory  1  The  sting  of  death  is  sin, 
and  the  strength  of  sin  is  the  law.  But  thanks  be  to  God 
which  giveth  us  the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
Completed  redemption  in  the  kingdom  of  glory,  is  the 
happy  end  and  issue  of  the  trials,  sorrows,  burdens,  and 
afflictions  of  the  Christian,  and  the  full  reward  for  every 
thing  that  he  may  have  given  up  in  consequence  of  his 
now  believing  God's  word,  and  acting  upon  it.  For  this 
glory  he  is  waiting. 

So  the  apostle  describes  the  believer,  now  full  of  suffering 
and  conflict,  longing  and  hoping  for  that  day.  "  We  our- 
selves also,  which  have  the  first-fruits  of  the  Spirit,  even 
we  ourselves  groan  within  ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adop- 
tion, to  wit,  the  redemption  of  our  bodies." 

But  it  is  not  merely  the  Christian  that  shall  be  redeemed. 
The  earth,  and  all  that  dwell  upon  it,  after  that  purifying 
baptism  of  fire  which  is  so  clearly  foretold  (2  Peter  iii.) 
shall  also  be  renewed.  "  We,  according  to  his  promise, 
look  for  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth  wherein  dwelleth 
righteousness." 

Meditation. 

Surely  we  should  liasten  the  coming  of  the  day  of  God. 
(2  Peter  iii.)  when  all  this  dark,  sorrowful,  and  evil  scene 
shall  pass  away,  and  the  new  heavens  and  the  new  earth 
appear.  O  with  what  holy  thirsting  should  we  say,  "  Our 
Father  which  art  in  heaven,  hallowed  be  thy  name,  thy 
kingdom  come,  thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in 
heaven." 


THE   INTERCESSION  OF  CHRIST. 


103 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  INTERCESSION  OF  CHRIST. 

] .  The  need  of  Intercession — 2.  The  persons  for  whom  it  was  made — 3. 
Tlic  nature  of  Intercession' — 4.  The  office  of  High  Priest — 5.  Christ  our  Medi- 
ator, Intercessor,  and  Advocate — 6.  Illustrations  of  Intercession— 7.  The  use 
and  comfort  of  this  truth. 

1.   THE  NEED  OF  INTERCESSION. 

When  any  person  has  offended  another  by  gross  miscon- 
duct, his  very  person  becomes  so  displeasing  as  to  make  a 
request  by  him  unwelcome.  If  our  whole  course  of  con- 
duct towards  a  benefactor  of  the  utmost  wisdom,  kindness, 
and  bounty,  from  whom  we  have  received  innumerable 
benefits,  has  been  one  of  ingratitude  and  injuries,  the  sense 
of  alienation,  even  in  our  own  minds,  makes  it  impossible 
for  us  to  come  with  confidence  of  heart  to  such  an  injured 
benefactor  and  solicit  favours  from  him.  Those  favours 
would  at  once  be  granted  to  a  beloved  object  ;  to  a  child, 
or  to  one  dear  to  such  a  benefactor,  and  intimate  with  him. 
But  the  guilty  offender  justly  fears  that  his  very  person, 
associated,  as  it  must  be,  with  his  misconduct,  will  quite 
hinder  the  success  of  his  petitions. 

This,  my  friends,  is  our  real  situation  ;  yet  we  are  far 
too  blind  to  it.  Prone  we  are,  by  nature,  to  make  excuses 
for  our  misconduct,  and  to  justify  ourselves.  Far  are  we 
from  thinking  that  we  need  a  Mediator. 

But  let  us  learn  our  true  position.  The  law  of  God  is 
lioly,  just,  and  good.  It  requires  us  to  love  our  God  su- 
premely, and  our  neighbour  as  ourselves.    Obedience  to  it 


104 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


would  be  universal  happiness.  Its  reward  and  its  penalty, 
just  and  righteous  altogether,  are,  "  The  mau  that  doeth 
these  things  shall  live  by  them,"  and  "The  soul  that  sinneth, 
it  shall  die."  We  have  all  daily,  hourly,  and  times  with- 
out number,  broken  this  good  and  holy  law.  Why  are  we 
not  cut  off  ?  How  is  it  sinful  man  is  spared  by  the  holy 
God,  and  has  been  spared  now  for  a  period  of  nearly  six 
thousand  years  !  "  All  have  sinned  and  come  short  of  the 
glory  of  God  ;  "  how  is  it  God  for  a  season  passes  by  and 
remits  these  sins  !  It  is  all  owing  to  "  the  redemption  that 
is  in  Christ  Jesus,  whom  God  hath  set  forth  to  be  a  pro- 
pitiation through  faith  in  his  blood,  to  declare  his  righte- 
ousness for  the  remission  of  sins  that  are  past,  through  the 
forbearance  of  God."  This  is  the  reason  why  a  spared 
world  of  rebellious  creatures  is  permitted  to  continue,  not- 
withstanding the  curse  of  the  law,  and  the  justice,  and  the 
truth,  and  the  holiness  of  the  great  Jehovah.  Here  may 
we  see  clearly  the  need  of  Christ's  intercession. 

But  it  is  not  merely  a  suspense  of  judgment  that  we 
sinful  creatures  require.  A  day  of  salvation,  a  season  for 
obtaining  renewed  grace,  is  also  of  unspeakable  moment, 
and  the  mediation  of  Jesus  provides  this.  "  He  was  made 
sin  for  us,  who  knew  no  sin  ,  that  we  might  be  made  the 
righteousness  of  God  in  him."  We  are,  in  virtue  of  this, 
exhorted,  as  in  an  '•'  accepted  time,"  in  a  "  day  of  salva- 
tion," not  to  receive  the  grace  of  God  in  vain,  but  "  to 
come  out  and  be  separate  "  from  an  evil  world,  and  return 
to  our  heavenly'  Father,  who  will  receive  us,  and  "  be  a 
Father  unto  us,  and  we  shall  be  dealt  with  as  sons  and 
daughters.  In  this  return  to  God,  Christ  is  every  thing. 
"  No  man  cometh  unto  the  Father  but  by  him  ;"  but,  both 
Jew  and  Gentile,  "  through  him,  have  access  by  one  Spirit 
unto  the  Father."  Here,  again,  we  see  the  need  of  inter- 
cession to  make  suspended  judgment  a  season  of  grace, 
and  to  open  a  way  by  which  we  may  return  to  the  holy 
Jehovah. 

The  many  temptations  which  beset  the  children  of  God, 
and  which  they  have  not,  through  their  still  remaining 


THE  INTERCESSION  OF  CHRIST.  lOo 

)  carnal  nature,  power  in  themselves  to  overcome,  shew  the 
;  necessity  of  continued  intercession.  We  have  trials  within 
and  without,  domestic  and  public  ;  temptations  everywhere 
assault  us,  and  a  traitor  within  readily  admits  our  worst 
foes.  0  the  pride,  impurity,  selfishness,  worldliness,  that 
seek  lodgment  and  entertainment  in  those  hearts  which 
ought  to  be  filled  with  God  and  his  holy  law  !  The  hum- 
bling, constant,  and  painful  experience  of  this,  compels  the 
Christian  to  look  for  help  ;  and  delightful  is  the  divine 
testimony,  that  Jesus  knows  bur  temptations,  and  prays 
for  us.    Luke  xxii.  32. 

Again,  the  just  are  not  without  sin.  "  If  we  say  we 
have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves,  and  the  truth  is  not  in 
us."  But  sin  brings  us  afi-esh  under  the  penalties  of  the 
broken  law  ;  "  the  wages  of  sin,"  at  all  times,  "  is  death." 
Those  who  have  obtained  the  righteousness  which  is  by 
faith,  still  then  need  the  Mediator  every  day.  And  most 
precious  to  them  is  the  truth,  "  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an 
advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous,  and 
he  is  the  propitiation  for  our  sins."  All  our  services,  too, 
are  full  of  defects,  and  in  themselves  could  not  be  accepted  ; 
but  it  is  a  blessed  truth  that  they  are  now  "  acceptable  to 
God  by  Christ  Jesus."  1  Peter  ii.  5. 

But  if  our  own  necessities  thus  manifest  the  need  of  in- 
tercession, still  more  is  it  requisite  when  we  bear  in  mind 
tlie  judgment  which  is  before  us.  "  Every  one  of  us  shall 
give  account  of  himself  to  God.  God  will  Itring  every 
work  into  judgment,  with  every  secret  thing,  whether  it  be 
good,  or  whether  it  be  evil."  How  shall  we  stand  in  that 
judgment  ?  Who  can  abide  it  ?  It  is  a  fiery  trial.  "  Every 
man's  work  shall  be  made  manifest,  for  the  day  shall  de- 
clare it,  because  it  shall  be  revealed  by  fire,  and  the  fire 
shall  try  every  man's  work  of  what  sort  it  is."  Have  we 
believed  the  gospel  ?  and  are  we  bringing  forth  the  fruits 
meet  for  repentance  1  What  does  conscience — what  does 
the  daily  life  testify  ?  Who  can  satisfactorily  answer 
these  questions,  in  the  day  of  the  Lord,  without  a  Me- 
diator 1 


106 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Then,  again,  consider  there  is  an  enemy,  Satan,  the  devil, 
or  calumniator  and  detractor  of  men,  full  of  malice  and 
full  of  subtletj',  ready  to  avail  himself  of  all  the  purity  of 
the  law,  and  the  charges  of  conscience,  and  well  acquainted 
with  all  our  transgressions.  He  is  "  the  god  of  this  world," 
He  is  "  the  prince  of  the  power  of  the  air,  the  spirit  that 
now  worketh  in  the  children  of  disobedience."  He  tempts 
men  to  sin,  and  knows  when  they  concur  with  his  tempta- 
tions. His  very  title  is,  "  The  accuser  of  the  brethren." 
And  although  he  himself  be  full  of  wickedness,  yet  if  his 
charge  be  just,  "  shall  not  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  do 
right  1  "  The  charge  must  be  met.  We  have  a  striking 
picture  of  the  part  which  our  Redeemer  takes  for  us,  in 
Zechariah  iii.  1 — 5.  "  And  he  showed  me  Joshua  the  high 
priest,  standing  before  the  angel  of  the  Lord,  and  Satan 
standing  at  the  right  hand  to  resist  him.  And  the  Lord 
said  unto  Satan,  The  Lord  rebuke  thee,  0  Satan  ;  even  the 
Lord  that  hath  chosen  Jerusalem  rebuke  thee  :  is  not  this 
a  brand  plucked  out  of  the  fire  1 "  The  ground  of  inter- 
cession here  is  traced  to  God's  election,  as  it  is  in  Romans 
viii.  33,  34.  Nothing  was  there  in  Joshua  and  Jerusalem 
apart  from  this  love  of  God.  "  Now  Joshua  was  clothed 
with  filthy  garments,  and  stood  before  the  angel.  And  he 
answered  and  spake  iinto  those  that  stood  before  him,  say- 
ing, Take  away  the  filthy  garments  from  him.  And  unto 
him  he  said,  Behold,  I  have  caused  thine  iniquity  to  pass 
from  thee,  and  I  will  clothe  thee  with  change  of  raiment. 
And  1  said.  Let  them  set  a  fair  mitre  upon  his  head.  So 
they  set  a  fair  mitre  upon  his  head,  and  clothed  him  with 
garments."  Thus  Jesus  sets  us  free  from  all  the  charges 
of  Satan,  and  clothes  us  with  the  beautiful  garments  of 
salvation. 

Prayer  to  see  the  need  of  Intercession. 

Almighty  Father  !  thou  hast  told  me  that  the  God  of 
this  world  hath  blinded  the  minds  of  them  which  believe 
not,  lest  the  light  of  the  glorious  gospel  of  Christ,  who  is 
the  image  of  God,  should  shine  upon  them.    0  deliver  me 


THE  INTERCESSION  OF  CHRIST. 


107 


from  this  blindness,  and  shine  into  my  heart,  to  give  me 
j  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  thy  glory  in  the  face  of  Jesus 
Christ  !  I  beseech  thee,  0  thou  God  of  all  grace !  in  the 
name  of  Jesus  Christ,  shew  me  my  sinfulness  and  weak- 
ness, and  the  all-sufficiency  of  that  righteous  Advocate, 
who  is  thy  well-beloved  Son,  and  who  makes  intercession 
for  the  transgressors.  By  him,  who  is  the  way,  the  truth 
and  the  life,  by  him  alone  I  come  unto  thee.  0  hear  me  ! 
and  give  me  true  faith  in  him,  for  his  name's  sake. 
Amen. 

2.  THE  PERSONS  FOR  WHOM  INTERCESSION  IS  MADE. 

The  persons  for  whom  our  Lord  intercedes  are  trans- 
gressors. Very  needful  for  our  faith  and  comfort  is  it  to 
keep  this  distinctly  in  view.  "  This  is  a  faithful  saying, 
and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into 
the  world  to  save  sinners."    His  first  coming  is  to  save  ; 

;  his  second  coming  to  judge  and  reign.  At  his  first  coming, 
again  and  again,  he  testified  that  he  came  "  to  seek  and  to 

'  save  that  which  was  lost."  It  was  foretold  of  him  :  "  He 
bare  the  sins  of  many,  and  made  intercession  for  the  trans- 

i  gressors." 

It  is  sin,  our  sin,  that  makes  this  intercession  necessary. 
Had  we  not  sinned  we  should  have  delighted  to  go  to  God 
as  Adam  did  before  the  fall,  and  God  could  have  blessed  us, 
!  as  he  did  Adam,  with  full  dominion  over  everything  on 
earth,  and  with  every  gift  of  his  creation.  By  sin  we  for- 
feited these  privileges,  and  by  Christ's  intercession  for  sia- 
I    ners  a  means  of  i-ecovery  is  provided  for  us. 

It  is  not  because  you  are  good,  or  better  than  others, 
I  that  you  may  hope  for  Christ's  intercession,  but  because 
you  are  sinful,  and  infinitely  need  it.  See,  in  the  parable 
of  the  barren  fig-tree,  a  beautiful  picture  of  our  Saviour's 
interceding  for  the  Jews,  in  the  midst  of  their  sins,  and  for 
all  sinners.  "  A  certain  man  had  a  fig-tree  planted  in  his 
vineyard,  and  he  came  and  sought  fruit  thereon,  and  found 
none.    Then  said  he  unto  the  dresser  of  his  vineyard,  Be- 


108 


CHRISTIAN  TErTH  : 


hold  these  three  years  I  come  seeking  fruit  on  this  fig-tree, 
and  find  none  :  cut  it  down  ;  why  cumbereth  it  the  ground? 
And  he  answering,  said  unto  him,  Lord,  let  it  alone  this 
year  also,  till  I  shall  dig  about  it,  and  dung  it,  and  if  it 
bear  fruit,  well  ;  and  if  not,  then,  after  that,  thou  shall  cut 
it  down."  We  have  the  same  blessed  truth,  without  any 
figure,  as  a  glorious  reality,  amidst  pains,  sufferings,  shame 
and  ingi-atitude  unparalleled,  in  the  crucified  Redeemer, 
hanging  on  the  cross,  between  the  two  thieves,  crying  out 
for  his  murderers,  "  Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know 
not  what  they  do." 

It  may  seem,  indeed,  an  objection  to  this  view,  that  in. 
his  last  intercessory  prayer,  speaking  of  those  whom  he  had 
previously  called  "  the  men  which  thou  gavest  me  out  of 
the  world,"  he  says  of  them,  "  I  pray  for  them  ; "  and 
then  adds,  "  I  pray  not  for  the  world,  but  for  them  which 
thou  hast  given  me,  for  they  are  thine."  Still,  how  full  is 
the  farther  evidence  of  his  love,  a  love  in  its  result  including 
the  world,  when,  in  a  later  part  of  the  same  prayer,  desir- 
ing the  full  union  of  his  elect  people,  both  from  among 
Jews  and  Gentiles  ;  and  their  full  glory,  in  our  Redeemer's 
glory,  at  his  coming,  he  thus  intercedes  for  all  men  :  "  Nei- 
ther pray  I  for  these  alone,  but  for  them  also  which  shall 
believe  on  me  through  their  word,  that  they  all  may  be 
one  ;  that  the  world  may  believe  that  thou  hast  sent  me. 
And  the  glory  which  thou  gavest  me  I  have  given  them, 
that  they  may  be  one  as  we  are  one.  I  in  them,  and  Thou 
in  me,  that  they  may  be  made  perfect  in  me,  and  that  the 
WORLD  may  know  that  thou  hast  sent  me,  and  hast  loved 
them  as  thou  hast  loved  me.  Father,  I  will  that  they  also 
whom  thou  hast  given  me  be  with  me  where  I  am,  that 
they  may  behold  my  gloiy,  which  thou  hast  given  me  ; 
for  thou  lovedst  me  before  the  foundation  of  the  world." 
We  have  here  a  rich  and  comprehensive  prayer.  First, 
for  the  full  blessedness  of  his  elect,  gathering  now  out  of 
this  evil  world,  that  they  may  ever  be  with  their  Lord  in 
glory  ;  and  then  a  prayer  for  the  world  at  large,  the  future 
blessedness  of  which  is  a  result  of  the  completion  of  his 


THE  INTERCESSION  OF  CHRIST. 


TOO 


elect  in  one  body,  according  as  we  read,  after  that  beantiful 
description  of  the  Lamb's  wife,  the  lieavenly  Jerusalem  : 
"  The  nations  of  them  which  are  saved  shall  walk  in  the 
light  of  it,  and  the  kings  of  the  earth  do  bring  their  glory 
I  and  honour  unto  it."  May  we  have  grace  now,  tlien,  to 
believe  in  his  name,  and  obtain  the  full  glory  promised  to 
his  elect.  0  let  not  us,  by  unbelief,  fall  short  of  the  pro- 
mised rest,  and  come  under  the  penalty  of  "  everlasting  de- 
struction from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  and  from  the  glory 
of  his  power." 

The  Saviour  has  no  backwardness  of  heart  to  pray  for 
any.  Of  the  most  wicked  city  of  Jerusalem  he  says,  "  How 
often  would  I  have  gathered  thy  cliildren  together,  even  as 
a  hen  gathereth  her  chickens  under  her  wings,  and  ye 
would  not."  Let  us  go  to  Jesus,  under  the  drawings  of 
the  Father's  love,  and  in  the  verj^  go'^o  to  him  we  have 
evidence  we  ai-e  given  to  him  :  "  All  that  the  Father  giveth 
me  shall  come  to  me,  and  him  that  cometh  to  me  I  will  in 
no  wise  cast  out."  (John  vi.  37.)  Let  us  put  up  our  prayers 
in  his  name,  and  immediately  his  powerful  intercession, 
like  much  incense,  mingles  with  them  and  makes  them 
effectual.  (Rev.  viii.  3.)  How  solemn  is  his  asseveration, 
and  let  our  faith  realize  it  :  "  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto 
you,  whatsoever  ye  sliall  ask  the  Father  in  my  name,  he 
!  will  give  it  you.  Hitherto  ye  have  asked  nothing  in  my 
I  name  ;  ask,  and  ye  shall  receive,  that  your  joy  may 
I  be  full." 

i  Meditation. 

Think  then,  0  my  soul !  of  this  mo.st  blessed  truth,  that 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  intercedes  for  thee  a  sinner,  when 
thou  comest  in  his  name  to  the  Father  !  What  could  my 
heart  desire  more  adapted  to  my  wants  ?  Who  can  be 
nearer  to  God  than  the  only-begotten  Son  ?  Who  can  be 
more  my  friend  than  he  who  died  for  me  1  What  petition 
can  fail  which  is  made  powerful  by  being  put  into  the  hands 
of  such  an  advocate  !  0,  let  me  most  joyfully,  and  most 
gratefully  always  accept  his  mediation,  use  his  name,  and 


no 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


with  perfect  confidence,  notwithstanding  my  many  siiiS, 
approach  the  most  holy  God  through  him. 

3.  THE  NATURE  OF  OUR  LORD  S  IXTERCESSIOX. 

Ample  and  full  is  the  provision  which  our  God  and  Sa- 
viour has  made  in  his  word  for  the  peace  and  holiness  of 
his  people.  Unspeakably  important  is  it  for  us  to  have  a 
right  and  clear  understanding  of  this  provision  to  meet  our 
daily  wants,  enable  us  to  do  all  his  will,  and  prepare  us  for 
our  heavenly  inheritance.  May  the  Lord  then  enable  me 
from  his  own  word  to  make  plain  to  the  reader  this  pecu- 
liarly comforting  doctrine  ! 

Intercession  means,  to  act  between  two  parties  as  an 
equal  friend  to  both  ;  and  the  intercession  of  our  Lord 
Christ  relates  to  his  acting  between  us  and  God  his  Father, 
that  God  may  be  glorified,  and  we  everlastingly  saved  and 
blessed. 

Many  things  were  requisite  before  this  could  be  attained. 
The  Lord  Jesus,  the  only-begotten  Son  of  the  Father,  had 
co-equal  glory  with  the  Father  before  the  world  was.  (John 
xvii.  6.)  He  existed  from  the  beginning  with  God,  and 
was  God-  (John  i.  1.)  He  was  in  the  form  of  God,  and 
thought  it  uot  robbery  to  be  equal  with  God.*'  (Phil.  ii. 
16.)  But  if  so,  how  could  he  then  be  an  intercessor 
for  man,  an  equal  friend  to  God  and  man  ?  0  wondrous 
plan  of  divine  love  !  he  emptied  himself  of  his  original 
glory,  and  "  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant,  and 
was  made  in  the  likeness  of  man  ;  and  being  found 
in  fashion  as  a  man,  he  humbled  himself  and  became 
obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of  the  cross."  He 
which  sanctifieth  us  "  became  of  one  nature  with  us,  '•  for 
which  cause  he  is  not  ashamed  to  call  us  brethren.  For- 
asmuch, then,  as  the  children  are  partakers  of  flesh  and 
blood,  he  also  himself  likewise  took  part  of  the  same." 

Taking  our  nature  upon  him,  "  he  gave  himself  for  us, 
that  he  might  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity."  He  laid  down 
his  own  life  for  us  (1  John  iii.  10),  "  bearing  our  sins  in  his 
own  body  on  the  tree."  ( 1  Peter  ii.  24.) 


THE  INTERCESSION  OF  CHRIST. 


Ill 


But  it  was  necessary  not  only  that  reconciliation  should 
thus  be  made  for  our  sins,  and  a  way  provided  by  which 
the  Holy  God  could  look  upon  sinners  without  pouring  his 
wrath  upon  them,  it  was  farther  necessary  that  we  should 
have  a  living  Mediator,  partaker  of  the  divine  nature,  that 
he  might  act  on  the  part  of  God  ;  and  partaker  of  the  human 
nature,  that  he  might  act  on  our  part.  The  Lord  Jesus, 
therefore,  rose  from  the  dead,  ascended  with  our  recovered 
nature  to  heaven,  and  there  is  seated  at  the  right  hand  of 
God,  where  he  ever  livi'th  to  make  intercession  for  us.  O 
glorious  and  most  consoling  fact !  Christ  is  "  entered  into 
heaven  itself,  now  to  appear  in  the  presence  of  God  for  us." 
And  0  what  ample  encouragement  have  we  hence,  in  all 
our  approaches  to  God  !  "  Seeing  then  that  we  have  a 
great  High  Priest  that  is  passed  into  the  heavens,  Jesus  the 
Son  of  God,  let  us  hold  fast  our  profession  ;  for  we  have  not 
an  High  Priest  which  cannot  be  touched  with  the  feeling  of 
our  infiraiities,  but  was  in  all  points  tempted  like  as  we 
are,  yet  without  sin.  Let  us  therefore  come  boldly  to  the 
throne  of  grace,  that  we  may  obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace 
to  help  in  time  of  need." 

Some  particulars  of  his  intercession  are  distinctly  set 
before  us  in  the  Scriptures. 

1.  He  presents  his  person,  in  our  nature  as  his  own, 
as  a  public  head,  mediator,  and  surety  for  us  (Heb.  ix. 
12,  24  ;  vii.  22),  bearing  our  names  on  his  breast.  (Exod. 
xxviii.  29.) 

2.  He  presents  his  merits  as  a  full  satisfaction  for  the 
debt  of  sin,  and  a  full  price  for  our  redemption  to  glory. 
(1  John  ii.  2  ;  Eph.  i.  14.)  His  blood  speaks  for  us.  (Heb. 
xii.  24.) 

3.  He  makes  known  his  desires  and  requests  for  our  pre- 
servation from  present  evil  (Luke  xxii.  32),  and  our  ob  • 
taiuing  future  glory.  (John  xviii.  24.) 

4.  He  receives  gifts  for  us,  even  rebellious  as  we  are 
(Psalm  Ixviii.  18),  and  bestows  those  gifts  upon  us.  (Acts 
V.  31.) 


112 


CnilISTIA?f  TRUTH 


5.  He  presents  our  prayers,  with  miicli  incense.  (Rev. 
viii.  3  ;  Exod,  xxviii.  38.) 

6.  The  Father  himself  delights  to  concur  in  this.  He 
"hearetli  him  always."  (John  xi.  42.)  Christ  is  that 
"  beloved  Son  in  whom  he  is  always  well  pleased."  (Matt, 
xvii.  5.) 

Meditation. 

Oh  that  the  door  in  heaven  may  be  opened  to  me  as  it 
was  to  the  apostle  (Rev.  iv.  1),  and  I  by  faith  may  behold 
in  the  midst  of  the  throne  that  slain  Lamb  that  takes  awaj'' 
the  sin  of  the  world  !  and  in  his  intercession,  while  I  see 
my  deep  sinfulness,  may  I  see  also  the  way  clear  and  open 
to  return  with  full  confidence  to  the  High  and  Holy  God, 
as  my  most  mei'ciful  Father,  and  my  own  God. 

4.  THE  OFFICE  OF  THE  HIGH  PRIEST. 

Great  is  the  kindness  and  condescension  of  God  in  teach- 
ing us  heavenly  things,  by  giving,  to  Moses  on  the  Mount, 
patterns  of  them  to  form  part  of  the  law,  and  thus  to  be  a 
daily  instructor  in  the  invisible  realities  of  the  heavenl}' 
world.  Our  backwardness  to  receive  this  instruction  may 
teach  us  our  great  dulness  of  apprehension  as  to  spiritual 
things.  In  speaking  of  our  Lord  as  a  high  priest  after  the 
order  of  Melcliizedec,  the  apostle  adds,  "  of  whom  we  have 
many  things  to  say,  and  hard  to  be  understood,  seeing  ye 
are  dull  of  hearing."  May  the  Lord  himself  open  our  ears 
to  hear,  and  enlighten  our  eyes  to  see. 

Among  the  patterns  of  the  heavenly  things  was  tliat 
most  lively  type  of  our  Lord  Christ — the  office  of  the  high 
priest.  Let  us  "  consider,"  then,  as  we  are  bid  to  do,  "  the 
apostle  and  high-priest  of  our  profession,  Jesus  Christ." 

One  of  the  twelve  tribes  of  Israel,  that  of  Levi,  was  dedi- 
cated to  the  service  of  God.  From  the  descendants  of 
Aaron,  in  that  tribe,  the  ordinary  priests  were  chosen. 
The  high  priest  was  placed  over  all  the  other  priests,  by 
the  direct  appointment  of  God  himself.    Aaron  was  first 


THE  INTERCESSION  OF  CHRIST. 


113 


appointed  to  this  office  ;  being  M'ashed,  clothed  with  holy 
garments,  and  anointed  with  precious  oil.  He  had  a  pecu- 
liar breastplate,  with  twelve  precious  stones,  each  stone 
bearing  the  name  of  one  of  tlie  twelve  tribes,  and  wore  on 
his  mitre  a  plate  of  pure  gold,  with  the  inscription,  "  Holi- 
ness to  the  Lord."  He  was  clothed  in  this  splendid  dress 
whenever  he  was  engaged  in  the  Tabernacle  or  Temple  ser- 
vice. He  was  to  be  free  from  all  blemish  ;  and  once  a-year 
he  entered  alone  into  the  Holy  of  Holies,  with  the  blood  of 
the  bullock,  to  sprinkle  on  the  mercy-seat.  The  whole  of 
his  services,  as  set  before  us  in  Exod.  xxviii.  and  xxix., 
and  Lev.  vii ,  ix.,  xvi.,  and  xxi.,  must  be  read,  and  com- 
pared with  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews  to  give  you  an  ade- 
quate view  of  the  varied  ways  in  which  this  sacred  office 
illustrates  that  gracious  work,  by  which  our  Redeemer  is 
now  carrying  on  intercession  for  us.  He  is  appointed  to 
this  office  immediately  by  God  himself.  (Heb.  vi.  4 — 6.) 
He  is  the  elder  brother  of  God's  spiritual  family  of  priests. 
Without  measure  is  his  anointing,  and  the  gift  of  the  Spirit 
to  him.  He  first  offered  himself  a  sacrifice  for  our  sins, 
and  then  "  entered  into  heaven  itself,  to  appear  in  the  pre- 
sence of  God  for  us."  How  glorious  and  beautiful  are  his 
robes  of  righteousness  !  how  perfect  his  holiness  !  On  his 
head  are  many  crowns,  and  by  him  have  we  access  to  and 
crimmunion  with  God.  "Good  things  yet  to  come"  are 
Libsured  to  us  through  him.  Now  he  is  within  the  veil, 
pleading  our  cause,  but  "  unto  them  that  look  for  him  shall 
he  appear  the  second  time  without  sin  unto  salvation." 
When  he  returns,  like  the  High  Priest,  he  will  return  to 
bless  us,  and  put  God's  name  upon  us.  In  a  fuller  sense 
than  has  ever  yet  been  realized,  he  will  say  to  his  people  : 
"  The  Lord  bless  thee  and  keep  thee  ;  the  Lord  make  his 
face  to  shine  upon  thee,  and  be  gracious  unto  thee  ;  the 
Lord  lift  his  countenance  upon  thee  and  give  thee  peace." 

Realize,  then,  Christian  reader,  these  great  truths  :  the 
atonement  for  sin  is  finished  ;  the  High  Priest  is  gone  up 
into  the  Holy  of  Holies,  even  to  God  himself,  and  has  been 
accepted.    He  is  before  the  throne.    He  is  engaged  in  in- 


114 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


tercession  on  our  behalf.  He  has  received  gifts  for  the 
rebellious.  Believe  all  this  grace  provided  for  you,  and 
seek  for  mercy  and  salvation  through  liim.  How  im- 
pressively the  apostle  addresses  us ;  "  Having,  therefore, 
brethren,  boldness  to  enter  into  the  holiest  by  the  blood  of 
Jesus,  by  a  new  and  living  way  which  he  hath  consecrated 
through  the  veil,  that  is  to  say,  his  flesh  ;  and  having  an 
High  Priest  over  the  house  of  God,  let  us  draw  near  with 
a  true  heart,  in  full  assurance  of  faith,  having  our  hearts 
sprinkled  from  an  evil  conscience,  and  our  bodies  washed 
with  pure  water.  Let  us  hold  fast  the  profession  of  our 
faith  without  wavering." 

Hymn  on  the  Office  of  the  High  Priest. 

See  Aaron,  God's  appointed  priest. 

Within  the  veil  appear, 
In  robes  of  sacred  meaning  drest, 

Presenting  Israel's  prayer. 

With  the  atoning  blood  he  stands 

Before  the  mercy-seat ; 
And  clouds  of  incense  from  his  hands 

Arise  with  odour  sweet. 

Through  him  the  eye  of  faith  descries 

A  greater  priest  than  he  ; 
Thus  Jesus  pleads  above  the  skies. 

For  sinners  such  as  we. 

He  bears  the  names  of  all  his  saints 

Deep  on  his  heart  engrav'd ; 
Attentive  to  the  state  and  wants 

Of  all  his  love  has  sav'd. 

In  him  a  holiness  complete, 

Light  and  perfection  shine  : 
And  wisdom,  grace,  and  glory  meet  ; 

A  Saviour  all  divine. 

The  blood,  which  as  a  priest  he  bears 

For  sinners,  is  his  own  ; 
The  incense  of  his  prayers  and  tears 

Perfumes  the  holy  throne. 

In  him  my  weary  soul  has  rest, 

Thou  gh  I  am  weak  and  vile  ; 
I  read  my  name  ujjon  his  breast, 

And  see  my  Father's  smile. 


THE  INTERCESSION  OF  CHRIST. 


1]5 


5.  CHRIST  OUR  MEDIATOR,  INTERCESSOR,  AND  ADVOCATE. 

All  the  titles  of  our  Redeemer  have  relation  more  or  less 
to  his  intercession  :  but  we  will  select  Mediator,  Interces- 
sor, and  Advocate,  as,  with  that  of  High  Priest,  specially 
applicable  to  this  subject. 

He  is  our  Mediator  :  the  one  who  goes  between  God 
and  man.  The  very  appointment  testifies  the  sweet  truth, 
that  "  God  will  have  all  men  to  be  saved,  and  to  come  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  for  there  is  one  God,  and  one 
Mediator  between  God  and  man,  the  man  Christ  Jesus." 
It  is  a  blessed  state  when  it  can  be  said  of  us,  "  We  are 
come  to  Jesus,  the  Mediator  of  the  new  covenant, — one 
who,  as  the  Son  of  God,  can  aj^proach  God  for  us,  and  as 
the  Son  of  Man  can  feel  and  sympathize  with  us.  A  Me- 
diator is  not  needed  when  all  is  at  unity  ;  he  comes  be- 
tween contending  parties  for  reconcilation.  When  the 
contention  was  wholly  owing  to  man's  sin,  and  was  be- 
tween the  great  God  and  weak  man,  how  utterly  helpless 
our  state  without  a  Mediator  !  But,  blessed  be  God,  that 
he,  in  his  infinite  love,  has  provided  a  "  daysman  betwixt 
us,"  one  that  can  plead  for  us,  '•  and  lay  his  hand  on  us 
both."  (Job  ix.  33.)  At  Mount  Sinai,  (Exod.  xx.  18—21,) 
the  law  "  was  ordained  by  angels  in  the  hands  of  a  Media- 
tor." Let  us  go  to  Jesus,  our  Mediator,  and  commit  all 
our  spiritual  interests  with  perfect  confidence,  to  him  who 
is  now  in  the  heavenly  mount  with  God  for  us.  He  is  the 
niily  being  in  heaven,  he  is  the  only  one  on  earth,  who  can 
act  for  us  with  God,  so  as  really  to  bless  us. 

He  is  our  intercessor  :  an  intercessor  is  one  who  stands 
up  in  behalf  of  another  to  obtain  blessings  for  him.  We 
have  set  before  us  the  awful  state  of  the  world  without  this, 
in  Isa.  lix.  1—15  ;  and  it  is  closed  thus  :  "  Truth  faileth, 
and  he  that  departeth  from  evil  maketh  himself  a  prey  ; 
and  the  Lord  saw  it,  and  it  displeased  him  that  there  was 
no  judgment."  What  could  we  next  have  expected  but 
exterminating  judgments  ?    No  :  this  is  not  the  mind  of 

1  2 


116 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


our  God  ;  in  jmlgment  he  remembers  mercy.  The  prophet 
goes  on  :  "  And  lie  saw  that  there  was  no  man,  and  won- 
dered that  there  was  no  intercessor  ;  therefore  his  arm 
brought  salvation,  and  his  righteousness  it  sustained  him." 
Judgments  come,  indeed,  on  his  obstinate  and  irreclaimable 
enemies,  but  his  intercession  obtains  effectual  salvation  and 
deliverance  for  his  people,  and,  in  the  result,  the  universal 
"  fear  of  the  name  of  the  Lord,  (v.  7 — 19).  The  office  of 
intercession  was  undertaken  by  Christ,  in  its  fulness,  on 
his  resurrection  ;  and  now  "who  is  he  that  condemneth  1" 
Shall  "  Christ  that  died,  yea  rather  that  is  risen  again,  who 
is  even  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  who  also  maketh  inter- 
cession for  us  1 "  How  glorious  that  view  of  the  apostle  ! 
"  I  beheld,  and  lo  in  the  midst  of  the  throne,  and  of  the 
four  beasts,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  elders,  stood  a  Lamb  as 
it  had  been  slain  !  "  and  how  delightful  the  songs  made  to 
this  Lamb  !  "  Thou  wast  slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to 
God  by  thy  blood,  out  of  every  kindred  and  tongue,  and 
people  and  nation."  What  an  effectual  plea  for  us  !  what 
an  abiding  and  constant  intercession  is  thus  presented  by 
the  slain  Lamb  in  the  midst  of  the  heavenly  places  !  0  let 
us  realise  it  in  all  our  approaches  to  God  ! 

He  is  our  advocate.  When  a  cause  is  to  be  tried,  the 
person  accused,  from  ignorance  or  want  of  ability,  is  gene- 
rally unable  to  plead  for  himself,  and  is  glad  to  employ  an 
advocate  to  plead  for  him.  The  gracious  Redeemer  has  been 
pleased  thus  to  set  forth  his  own  work  for  us.  We  have, 
indeed,  in  ourselves,  a  cause  wholly  desperate.  Our  very 
plea  is,  that  we  are  guilty,  but  this  "  wonderful  counsellor," 
out  of  that  very  plea,  as  St.  John  shews  (1  John  ii.  1,  2,) 
can  gather,  from  God's  gracious  promises  (1  John  i.  9,) 
and  his  own  propitiation  for  our  sins,  the  very  argument 
for  our  being  forgiven,  and  cleansed  from  all  unrighteous- 
ness. True  it  is  we  have  a  most  bitter,  malignant,  and 
skilful  accuser  ;  true  it  is  that  the  holy  and  good  law  is 
clearly  against  us  as  transgressors  ;  true  it  is  the  Judge  is 
altogether  righteous ;  true  it  is  that  our  mouths  are  stopped, 
and  we  are  guilty  before  God,  and  are  compelled  to  say, 


TUE  INTERCESSION  OF  CURIST. 


117 


"  Beliolcl  I  am  vile  :  and  yet  out  of  all  these  unpromising 
and  most  desperate  circumstances,  there  is  an  effectual  and 
prevailing  plea  for  our  justification,  even  "  the  redemption 
that  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  whom  God  hath  set  forth  to  be  a 
propitiation  through  faith  in  his  blood  :  "  a  plea  in  which 
we  become  interested,  when  we  have  really  gone  to  the 
Advocate  and  put  our  cause  into  his  hands,  for  this  is  the 
proof  that  we  are  given  to  Christ,  and  shall  behold  his 
glory.  (John  vi.  37  ;  xvii.  24.) 

Bishop  Reynolds's  Meditation  on  the  Intercession  of  Christ. 

"  He  is  our  Advocate  and  Mediator  ;  he  is  the  only 
Practiser  in  the  Court  of  Heaven,  and  therefore  he  must 
needs  be  full  of  the  business  of  his  church.  It  is  his  office 
to  despatch  the  affairs  of  those  that  come  unto  him,  and 
crave  his  favour  and  intercession,  to  debate  their  causes  ; 
and  he  is  both  faithful  and  merciful  in  his  place,  and  be- 
sides, furnished  with  such  unmeasurable  unction  of  the 
Spirit,  and  vast  abilities  to  transact  all  the  businesses  of  his 
church,  that  whosoever  cometh  unto  him  for  his  counsel 
and  intercession,  he  will  in  no  wise  cast  them  out,  or  refuse 
their  cause.  And  this  is  one  great  assurance  we  may  take 
comfort  in,  that,  be  our  matters  ever  so  foul  and  inexcusa- 
ble in  themselves,  yet  the  very  entertaining  of  him  as  our 
counsel,  and  the  leaning  upon  his  wisdom,  power,  fidelity, 
and  mercy,  to  expedite  our  business,  to  compassionate  our 
estate,  and  to  rescue  us  from  our  demerits,  does,  as  it  were, 
alter  the  property  of  the  cause,  and  produce  a  clean  con- 
trary issue  to  that  which  the  evidence  of  the  thing  in  trial, 
would  of  itself  have  created.  And,  as  we  may  observe  that 
men  of  extraordinary  abilities  in  the  law  delight  to  wrestle 
with  some  difficult  business,  and  to  shew  their  learning  in 
clearing  matters  of  the  greatest  intricacy  and  perplexity 
before,  so  does  Christ  esteem  himself  most  honoured,  and 
the  virtue  and  wisdom  of  his  cross  magnified,  when,  in 
cases  of  sorest  extremity,  of  most  hideous  guilt,  of  most 
black  and  uncomfortable  darkness  of  soul,  which  pose  not 
only  the  presumptions,  but  the  hope,  faith,  conjectures 


H8 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


thoughts,  and  contrivances  which  the  hearts  of  men  can 
even  in  wishes  make  to  themselves  for  mercy,  they  do 
trust  him  "  whose  thoughts  are  infinitely  above  their 
thoughts."  (Isaiah  Iv.  8  ;  1.  10.)  When  the  soul  can  go 
unto  Christ  with  such  complaints  and  acknowledgments  as 
these :  "  Lord,  when  I  examine  my  cause  by  mine  own 
conscience  and  judgment  of  it,  I  cannot  but  give  it  over  as 
utterly  desperate  and  beyond  cure ;  my  bones  are  dried, 
my  hope  is  cut  off,  I  am  utterly  lost :  my  sins  and  my 
sorrows  are  so  heavy,  that  they  have  broken  my  spirit  all 
to  pieces,  and  "  there  is  no  sound  part  in  me."  But,  Lord, 
I  believe  thou  knowest  a  way  to  make  dead  bones  live  ; 
(Ezek.  xxxvii.  3.)  that  thy  thoughts  and  ways  are  above 
mine,  and  that  thou  knowest  thine  own  thoughts  of  peace 
and  mercy  though  I  cannot  comprehend  them  ;  that  thy 
riches  are  unsearchable  ;  that  thy  love  is  above  human 
knowledge  ;  that  thy  peace  passes  all  created  understand- 
ing ;  that  though  I  am  the  greatest  of  all  sinners,  and  feel 
enough  in  myself  to  sink  me  as  low  as  Judas  into  hell,  yet 
thou  hast  not  left  me  without  patterns  of  all  suffering,  of 
thy  royal  power  in  enduring,  and  in  forgiving  sins.  And 
now,  Lord,  though  thou  afford  me  no  light,  though  thou 
beset  me  with  terrors,  though  thou  make  me  to  possess  the 
sins  of  my  youth,  yet  I  will  desire  to  fear  thy  name,  to 
walk  in  thy  way,  and  to  wait  upon  thy  counsel.  I  know 
there  is  not,  in  men  or  angels,  so  much  wisdom,  compas- 
sion, or  fidelity  as  in  thee  ;  and,  therefore,  if  I  must  perish, 
I  will  perish  at  thy  feet,  I  will  starve  under  thy  table,  I 
will  be  turned  away  and  rejected  by  thee,  who  hast  pro- 
mised to  cast  away  none  that  come  unto  thee.  I  have 
tried  all  ways,  and  here  I  resolve  to  rest  and  to  look  no 
further  ;  thou  that  hast  kept  such  a  sinner  as  I  am  out  of 
hell  thus  long,  canst  by  the  same  power  keep  me  out  for 
ever.  Upon  thy  wisdom  and  compassion,  who  canst  make 
dried  bones  to  flourish  like  an  herb,  (Isa.  Ixvi.  14.)  and 
broken  bones  to  rejoice  and  sing,  I  cast  the  whole  weight 
of  my  guilty  spirit.  Into  thy  bosom  I  empty  all  the  fears, 
cares,  and  requests  of  my  distracted  and  sinking  soul." 


THE  INTERCESSION  OF  CnRIST. 


119 


"  Where  a  man  can  thus  pour  out  himself  unto  Christ, 
he  esteems  the  price  and  power  of  his  blood  most  highly 
honoured  :  when  men  believe  in  him  against  reason,  and 
above  hope,  and  beyond  the  experience,  or  the  apprehen- 
sions they  have  of  mercy  ;  for  Christ  loves  to  shew  the 
greatness  of  his  skill  in  the  salvation  of  a  Manasseh,  a  Mary 
Magdalen,  a  crucified  thief,  a  persecutor  and  injurious  blas- 
phemer, and  in  giving  life  to  them  that  nailed  him  to  his 
cross  ;  the  more  desperate  the  disease,  the  more  honourable 
the  cure." 

6.  ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  INTERCESSION. 

The  history  of  the  Bible  is  full  of  facts  which  illustrate 
intercession  in  general,  and  are  striking  types  of  our  Re- 
deemer's intercession  in  particular.  Sucli  are  the  sacri- 
fices of  the  patriarchs  before  and  after  the  flood,  and  those 
of  the  law  of  Moses  in  general.  Let  us  take  some  more 
prominent  examples.  The  first  act  of  Noah,  on  his  deliv- 
erance from  the  deluge, — that  most  striking  evidence  that 
God  wiU  awfully  visit  general  guilt  with  general  judgment 
— was  an  act  of  sacrifice  and  intercession.  And  in  conse- 
quence of  that,  the  Lord  has  ever  since  preserved  the  earth 
from  destruction  by  another  flood.  The  Lord  "  smelled  a 
sweet  savour,"  and  said,  "  I  will  not  again  curse  the  ground 
any  more  for  man's  sake  ;  for  the  imagination  of  man's 
heart  is  evil  from  his  youtli." 

The  history  of  Abraham's  intercession  for  Sodom  and 
Gomorrah  shews  the  willingness  of  God,  our  Father,  to  be 
pleaded  with  for  the  worst  of  sinners,  and  also  the  cha- 
racter of  that  intercession  which  Jesus  is  making  above 
for  sinners  exposed  to  the  divine  wrath.  Read  Gen.  xviii. 
20-33. 

Jacob's  wrestling  with  the  angel  for  his  family,  is  ano- 
ther figure  of  our  Lord's  fervent  and  prevailing  prayer  for 
his  family.  (Gen.  xxxii.  2i — 32.)  "  He  had  power  over 
the  angel,  and  prevailed  ;  he  wept  and  made  supplication 
unto  him,  he  found  him  in  Bethel,  and  there  he  spake 


120 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


with  US  ;  even  the  Lord  God  of  hosts,  the  Lord  is  his  me- 
morial." (Hosea  xii.  3 — 5.)  We  may  see  the  same  ti'uth 
in  Joseph's  interceding  with  Pharaoh  for  his  family,  and 
obtaininof  tlius  for  them  a  settlement  in  the  land  of  Egypt. 
(Gen.  xlvii.l— 10.) 

Moses's  whole  history,  his  appearing  before  Pharaoli  for 
Israel,  and  then  his  appearing  before  God  for  them  in 
Mount  Sinai,  and  his  pleading  in  their  behalf  after  their 
rebellions,  are  lively  examples  of  the  intercession  of  Christ. 
With  what  self-sacrifice,  and  earnestness,  and  powerful 
arguments,  does  he  plead  for  them  !  When  God  says, 
adapting  his  expressions  to  our  weakness  in  resisting  im- 
portunity, "  Let  me  alone,  that  my  wrath  may  wax  hot 
against  them,  and  that  I  may  consume  them,  and  I  will 
make  of  thee  a  great  nation  ; "  Moses  will  not  accept  a 
personal  benefit  at  the  cost  of  his  people,  hut  beseeches  the 
Lord  with  many  touching  pleas  in  their  behalf  to  spare 
them,  till  he  succeeds.  Read  Exod.  xxxii. 

Aaron  also,  on  more  occasions  than  one,  was  made  a 
striking  pattern  of  the  intercession  of  Christ.  When  a 
plague  was  sent  among  the  congregation  on  account  of 
their  murmuring,  and  God  threatened  to  consume  them  in 
a  moment,  Aaron  "  took  the  censer,  and  put  fire  therein 
from  oif  the  altar,  and  ran  into  the  midst  of  the  congrega- 
tion, and  put  on  incense,  and  made  an  atonement  for  the 
people.  And  he  stood  between  the  living  and  the  dead,  and 
the  plague  was  stayed."  (Numb.  xvi.  46 — 48.) 

Intercession  is  farther  illustrated  by  the  history  of  Job. 
In  the  opening  of  the  book  of  Job,  his  prayers  and  sacri- 
fices for  his  family  are  mentioned,  "  for  Job  said,  it  may  be 
that  my  sons  have  sinned."  In  the  close  also,  of  the  book, 
we  find  his  friends  were  directed  to  go  and  offer  up  burnt- 
offerings,  and  Job  was  "  to  pray  for  them,  for  God  would 
accept  him."  It  is  also  added,  "  the  Lord  turned  the  cap- 
tivity of  Job  when  he  prayed  for  his  friends." 

The  history  of  Daniel  is  full  of  the  spirit  of  prayer.  The 
earnestness  with  which  (in  chap,  ix.)  he  pleads  for  his 
people,  and  the  many  affecting  motives  urged,  show  us 


THE  INTERCESSION  OF  CHRIST. 


121 


something  of  the  greater  earnestness  with  which  our  living 
High  Priest  is  ever  interceding  for  us. 

But  in  every  thing  Jesus  has  the  pre-eminence.  When 
wearied  with  the  labour  of  an  arduous  day,  he  retired  not 
for  repose,  but  "  went  apart  up  into  the  mountain  alone  to 
pray."  When  on  the  very  eve  of  his  own  apprehension 
and  crucifixion,  he  poured  out  that  most  sublime  and  tender 
prayer  for  his  apostles  and  the  world,  recorded  John  xvii. 
When  hanging  on  the  cross,  he  still  prayed  for  his  mur- 
derers. And  now  he  reigns  above,  we  are  assured,  this  is 
the  office  which  he  is  still  carrying  on  ; — "  he  ever  liveth  to 
make  intercession  for  us."  How  full  of  comfort  should  be 
to  us  that  picture  of  his  intercession  which  we  have  in  the 
account  given  in  Rev.  viii.  3,  4  ! 

Meditation. 

Oh  that,  by  every  stream  of  grace  and  mercy,  I  may  rise 
up  to  the  Original  Fountain,  and  by  all  see  the  overflowing 
fulness  of  Jesus,  my  living  and  ever-interceding  Prophet 
and  High  Priest  I  May  I  search  the  Scriptures,  which  so 
fully  testify  of  him,  and  constantly  come  to  him,  weak, 
sinful,  and  empty  as  I  am,  to  receive  out  of  his  fulness  grace 
for  the  supply  of  all  my  wants  !  "  Whatsoever  I  do  in 
word  or  deed,  may  I  do  all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
giving  thanks  to  God  and  the  Father  by  him." 

7.   THE  USE  AND  COMFORT  OF  THIS  TRUTH. 

The  Israelites  valued  not  the  intercession  of  Moses  till 
they  were  brought  under  the  terrors  and  threatenings  of 
Mount  Sinai.  And  to  some  readers  all  the  truths  now  de- 
clared may  seem  a  matter  of  great  indifference.  Could 
they  see  their  real  condition,  and  realize  their  sinful  de- 
parture from  God,  the  fearful  guilt  that  lies  upon  them, 
the  threatenings  of  the  Most  High,  and  the  terrors  of  that 
everlasting  destruction  to  which  they  are  hastening  "  who 
know  not  God,  and  obey  not  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,"  they  might  learn  the  infinite  value  of  Christ's  in- 
tercession. 


122 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Let  the  bare  fact  itself,  then,  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
the  Son  of  the  Most  High,  "  ever  liveth  to  make  interces- 
sion for  us,"  speak  with  irresistible  power  to  their  con- 
science. Why  is  it,  0  sinner  I  that  such  an  intercession  is 
needed  ?  Why  is  your  being  spared  from  instant  destruc- 
tion dependant  on  such  a  remarkable  truth  1  Oh  learn 
that  there  is  an  evil  in  sin  of  which  you  have  yet  no  con- 
ception ;  learn  your  utter  insufficiency  and  inability  to 
recover  yourselves.  The  day  of  grace  is  yet  continued,  but 
it  is  a  limited  period,  quickly  passing  away.  Learn,  too, 
that  it  is  rash  presumption  for  a  sinner  to  approach  God, 
except  in  the  name  of  Jesus  !  Can  you  more  mock  or 
insult  the  divine  wisdom,  majesty,  and  goodness,  than  by 
slighting  his  provided  way  of  salvation  1  Let  Roman  Ca- 
tholics tremble  for  their  awful  guilt  in  saint-worship,  and 
earthly  mediators  !  Let  self-righteous  men,  who  think  by 
their  own  tears,  prayers,  alms,  and  works,  to  turn  away 
the  wrath  of  God,  learn  how  vain  is  such  a  ground  of  con- 
fidence, and  what  contempt,  wliile  resting  on  these,  they 
pour  on  "  the  only  name  given  unto  men  whereby  we  must 
be  saved !  " 

But  are  any  burdened  by  sin,  broken-hearted  under 
lengthened  and  apparently  unavailing  struggles  with  their 
corruptions  1  Do  the  terrors  of  the  Lord  overwhelm  them  1 
Does  the  law  of  God  manifestly,  and  in  every  thing  con- 
demn them  ?  Does  Satan  bring  man}'  a  heavy  charge 
against  them,  and  conscience  sa\',  It  is  all  true !  I  am  guilty, 
verily  guilty  before  God,  shut  up  under  sin  I  For  them 
this  doctrine  is  revealed  as  a  precious  balm  to  their  wounded 
spirit.  You  have  a  mediator.  You  have  an  Intercessor, 
an  Advocate,  a  High  Priest.  He  is  living,  he  is  at  God's 
right  hand  ;  he  is  pleading  for  you.  "  Look  unto  him  and 
be  ye  saved,  all  the  ends  of  the  earth." 

Christians,  remember  the  intercession  of  Jesus  in 
ALL  YOUR  prayers.  Think  of  this  before  you  pray.  Thus 
may  you  gather  holy  boldness  in  approaching  the  throne 
of  God.  It  is  a  blessed  thing  to  have  access  with  confi- 
dence to  the  great  God  as  having  reconciled  us  to  himself 


THE  INTERCESSION  OF  CHEIST. 


123 


by  Jesus  Christ,  and  no  longer  imputing  our  trespasses  to 
us.  This  we  gain  by  Jesus'  intercession.  In  prayer,  too, 
intermingle,  as  it  were,  with  all  your  devotions,  the  fra- 
grant name  of  Jesus.  "  By  him  let  us  offer  the  sacrifice  of 
praise  to  God  continually."  The  recollection  and  realising 
by  faith  of  such  a  Mediator,  will  give  life  and  power  to 
prayer.  And,  after  prayer,  still  let  us  leave  all  to  him  ; 
not  resting  on  their  fervency,  if  fervent ;  nor  being  in  de- 
spair for  their  coldness,  if  cold  ;  but  resting  and  hoping  in 
the  mighty  intercession  of  him  who  is  the  elect  in  whom 
the  Father  delighteth  ;  the  "  beloved  Son  in  whom  he  is 
always  well  pleased." 

And,  Christians,  imitate  the  Redeemer  also  in  in- 
tercession. He  has  washed  us  in  his  blood,  and  made  us 
kings  and  priests  unto  God  and  his  Father.  It  is  our 
office  to  be  "  the  Lord's  remembrancers."  It  is  an  exhor- 
tation given  us,  as  a  primary  duty,  to  "  make  supplica- 
tions, prayers,  and  intercessions,  and  giving  thanks  for  all 
men  ;  for  kings  and  all  that  are  in  authority,  that  we  may 
live  a  quiet  and  peaceable  life  in  all  godliness  and  honesty ; 
for  this  is  good  and  acceptable  in  the  sight  of  God  our  Sa- 
viour." Oh  that  his  holy  pattern  and  lovely  example  may 
stir  up  every  Christian,  to  seek  to  be  like  him  in  interceding 
for  a  world  perishing  in  sin,  and  in  enlarged  supplications 
tor  all  the  family  of  God  ! 

Thanks  for  Christ's  Intercession. 

AH  praise,  all  glory  be  thee,  0  heavenly  Father,  who 
hast  not  left  me  to  perish  in  my  sins,  but  hast  in  thy  infi- 
nite mercy  and  tender  compassion,  provided  a  full  ransom 
for  them  all,  and  a  merciful  and  faithful  High  Priest,  to 
appear  in  thy  presence  for  me  !  Oh  how  can  I  thank  thee 
as  I  ought  for  this  unspeakable  gift  of  thy  love  !  Let  Israel 
rejoice  in  him  that  made  him  ;  let  the  children  of  Zion  be 
joyful  in  their  King  !  Praise  God  in  his  sanctuary.  Praise 
him  in  the  firmament  of  his  power.  Let  everything  that 
hath  breath  praise  the  Lord  ;  and  let  the  whole  earth  be 
filled  with  his  glory.    Amen  and  Amen. 


124 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


CHAPTER  Vir. 

ON  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 

1.  Unity  of  the  Godhead — 2.  Distinctness  of  the  Spirit — 3,  Names  of  the 
Spirit — 4.  Jesus  receiving  the  Holy  Spirit  for  us— 5.  His  office  in  Redemp- 
tion— 6.  His  love  in  undertaking  it— 7.  Our  duty  to  the  Spirit — 8.  The 
enlarged  outpouring  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

1.  THE  UNITY  OF  THE  GODHEAD. 

The  glories  of  the  great  God  are  beyond  the  limited  com- 
prehension of  the  wisest  and  best  of  men,  or  the  most  ex- 
alted of  angels.  None,  by  all  their  searching  can  perfectly 
know  Jehovah  ;  but  every  increase  of  holy  knowledge  of 
God,  is  an  increase  of  blessedness,  and  part  of  the  very  hap- 
piness of  everlasting  life. 

The  oneness  of  the  true  and  ever-glorious  Jehovah  is 
frequently  and  plainly  stated  in  the  Bible.  "  The  Lord  he 
is  God  in  heaven  above,  and  upon  the  earth  beneath,  there 
is  none  else."  (Deut.  iv.  39.)  "  Hear,  0  Israel,  the  Lord 
our  God  is  one  Lord."  (Deut.  vi.  4.)  He  asks,  "  Is  there 
a  God  beside  me  ?  Yea,  there  is  no  God."  (Isaiah  xliv.  8.) 
"  An  idol  is  nothing  in  the  world,  and  there  is  none  other 
God  but  one."  (1  Cor.  viii.  4.) 

The  full  nature  of  this  oneness  we  cannot  comprehend. 
It  is  a  perfect  unity  in  all  attributes  of  wisdom,  love, 
power,  and  riches,  and  in  holiness  and  righteousness,  be- 
yond our  largest  thoughts.  It  is  the  same  mighty  and 
merciful  mind,  the  same  gracious  and  holy  Being,  every- 
where present,  controlling,  directing,  sustaining,  filling, 


ON  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 


125 


and  governing  all  things  according  to  his  own  will  and 
grace,  truth,  and  love,  with  a  vastness  and  greatness  that 
no  created  being  can  fully  comprehend  or  realize.  But 
it  is  the  true  happiness  of  every  created  being  to  know  the 
great  God,  to  confide  wholly  in  him,  to  see  him  through  all 
his  works,  and,  by  every  display  which  he  has  made  of 
himself,  to  rise  to  communion  with  him,  and  evermore  to 
rejoice  in  him. 

In  this  unity  of  the  Godhead,  the  Bible  has  revealed  a 
Trinity  of  persons,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost  ;  each 
uncreated,  incomprehensible,  almighty,  and  equally  God, 
and  "  yet  they  are  not  three  Gods,  but  one  God,"  and  we 
are  baptized,  not  in  many  names,  but  "  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  The  full 
nature  of  this  Trinity  in  unity  also  is  far  beyond  our  highest 
thoughts.  The  practical  use  of  the  doctrine  is,  however, 
manifest  in  every  place  where  it  is  revealed  in  the  word  of 
God.  It  furnishes,  in  the  mode  of  its  revelation  to  us  in 
the  Scriptures,  constant  lessons  of  instruction,  humiliation, 
confidence,  holiness,  comfort,  and  happiness,  so  that  "  to 
know  God,  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  he  has  sent,"  is  "  eter- 
nal life ;  to  acquaint  ourselves  with  God  "  is  "  to  be  at 
peace  with  him."  And  as  there  is  a  perfect  unity  of 
nature  in  the  three  persons  of  the  Godhead,  so  God  in  his 
love  has  designed  that  those  whom  he  has  given  to  his  Son, 
and  who  believe  in  him,  should  be  brought  to  a  perfect 
unity  of  mind  and  heart  with  each  other  and  with  him. 
The  Saviour's  prayer  is,  "  That  they  all  may  be  one.  As 
thou.  Father,  art  in  me,  and  I  in  thee,  that  they  also  may 
be  one  in  us  : "  and  for  this  very  end,  "  that  the  Avorld 
may  believe"  the  divine  mission  of  Christ  ;  so  full  of  holy 
love  is  God  to  all  his  creatures,  and  while  altogether  righ- 
teous, yet  full  also  of  compassion  in  all  his  ways,  even  to 
those  who  have  sinned  against  him. 

Meditation. 

May  the  last  intercessions  of  the  Redeemer  be  fulfilled 
in  me  !    May  I  believe  in  Jesus,  and  attain  that  blessed 


126 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


oneness  with  the  Father  and  Son  for  wliich  he  has  prayed, 
and  which  he  has  connected  with  the  final  blessedness  of 
the  whole  world  !  0  how  delightful  ought  it  to  be  to  me, 
that  I  have  but  one  to  please  ;  and  that  one  full  of  light 
and  love,  grace  and  glory,  altogether  excellent,  and  who 
has  said,  If  there  be  first  a  willing  mind,  it  is  accepted  ac- 
cording to  what  a  man  hath,  and  not  according  to  what  he 
hath  not. 

2.  THE  DISTINCTNESS  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 

In  considering  the  glories  of  the  Divine  Being,  it  is  ne- 
cessary not  to  "  confound  the  persons,"  or  so  to  mingle 
them  as  that  their  several  and  distinct  offices  cannot  be 
discerned.  The  Holy  Scriptures  make  this  very  clear,  by 
shewing  that  each  Person  has,  in  infinite  love,  undertaken 
a  distinct  work  and  office  in  our  salvation,  and  by  very 
frequently  mentioning  all  three  together  in  a  distinct  form. 
Thus  the  Lord  Jesus  bids  his  ministers :  "  Go  ye,  and  teach 
all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and 
of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  The  way  in  which 
Christians  are  to  build  themselves  up  on  their  "  most  holy 
faith,"  is,  "  praying  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  keep  yourselves  in 
the  love  of  God,  looking  for  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  unto  eternal  life." 

Our  Lord,  in  his  last  discourse  before  his  crucifixion, 
very  frequently  brings  before  us  the  three  in  one,  both  in 
their  distinctness  and  their  unity.  We  read  in  John  xiv. 
16,  17.  "I  will  pray  the  Father,  and  he  shall  give  you 
another  Comforter,  that  he  may  abide  with  you  for  ever, 
even  the  Spirit  of  truth."  So  again,  ver.  26  :  "  The  Com- 
forter, which  is  the  Holy  Ghost,  whom  the  Father  will 
send  in  my  name,  he  shall  teach  you  all  things."  So  again, 
XV.  2G,  and  xvi.  7  :  The  Spirit  is  seen  acting  as  a  distinct 
person  again  and  again.  Thus  "  the  Holy  Ghost  said,  Se- 
parate me  Barnabas  and  Saul  for  the  work  whereunto  I 
have  called  them."  (Acts  xiii.  2.)  And  tliis  was  not  merely 
a  special  occasion,  but  we  are  assured  the  ordinary  min- 


ON  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 


127 


isters  of  the  church  are  appointed  by  him,  from  the  charge, 
"  Take  heed  to  yourselves,  and  to  all  the  flock  over  which 
the  Holy  Ghost  has  made  you  overseers."  All  spiritual 
gifts  are  indeed  imparted  by  him.  (1  Cor.  xii.  1 — 12.)  He 
especially  distinctly  inspires  the  sacred  writers,  speaking 
expressly  to  them  (1  Tim.  iv.  1),  and  moving  them  to  write 
the  word  of  God  for  our  use. 

The  distinctness  of  the  Holy  Ghost  may  be  seen  in  the 
INFINITE  WISDOM  ascribed  to  him.  "  The  Spirit  searcheth 
all  things,  even  the  deep  things  of  God  ;  for  what  man 
knoweth  the  things  of  a  man,  save  the  spirit  of  man  which 
is  in  him,  even  so  the  things  of  God  knoweth  no  man,  but 
the  Spirit  of  God."  (1  Cor.  ii.  10,  11.)  Well  may  he  be 
called  "  the  Spirit  of  wisdom  and  understanding,  and  the 
Spirit  of  counsel  "  (Isaiah  xi.  3),  who  thus  searches  and 
understands  the  unfathomable  depths  of  the  Godhead. 

The  same  distinctness  may  be  seen  in  the  personal 
WILL  ascribed  to  him  in  dispensing  his  gifts.  While  there 
are  "  diversities  of  gifts,  it  is  the  same  Spirit — all  these 
worketh  that  one  and  the  self-same  Spirit,  dividing  to  every 
man  severally  as  he  will."  (1  Cor.  xii.  11.)  In  these 
words  we  have  a  very  full  and  plain  statement  of  a  distinct 
and  personal  being,  acting  voluntarily  and  freely,  and  one 
who  has  perfect  power  over  the  most  precious  gifts  man  can 
receive,  and  who  distributes  them  just  as  he  pleases,  in  full 
sovereignty  of  wisdom  and  love. 

We  may  again  see  this  distinctness  in  the  almighty 
POWER  which  belongs  to  him.  Thus  the  Virgin  Mary  was 
told  :  "  The  Holy  Ghost  shall  come  upon  thee,  and  the 
power  of  the  highest  shall  overshadow  thee  ;  therefore  also 
that  holy  thing  which  shall  be  born  of  thee  shall  be  called 
the  Son  of  God."  (Luke  i.  35.)  So  the  Holy  Ghost  is 
called  "  the  Spirit  of  might  "  (Isaiah  xi.  3),  and  Christians 
are  "  strengthened  with  might  by  the  Spirit  in  the  inner 
man."  (Ephes.  iii.  IG.) 

We  may  yet  further  see  this  distinctness  and  divine 
glory  of  the  Holy  Ghost  from  his  dwelling  in  each 
BELIEVER,  whose  body  is  his  temple.    On  this  the  apostle 


128 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


speaks  very  explicitly  :  "  Know  ye  not  that  ye  are  the 
temple  of  God,  and  that  the  Spirit  of  God  dwelleth  in  you. 
If  any  man  defile  the  temple  of  God,  him  shall  God  de- 
stroy- ;  for  the  temple  of  God  is  holy,  which  temple  ye  are." 
(1  Cor.  iii.  16,  17.)  "  Your  body  is  the  temple  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  which  is  in  A^ou,  which  ye  have  of  God,  and  ye  are 
not  your  own."  (1  Cor.  vi.  19.)  How  clearly  he  must  be 
God  who  is  thus  everywhere  present  with  his  people,  and 
has  temples  for  his  worship  over  the  whole  earth,  and 
leads  them  as  the  sons  of  God  to  the  promised  glory  ! 

Thus  may  we  see  that  the  Holy  Ghost  is  a  distinct, 
divine  person,  to  be  adored,  confided  in,  loved,  and  obeyed. 
Nor  can  this  be  more  plainly  and  beautifully  expressed 
than  in  the  words  of  the  Athanasian  creed  :  "  He  is  of  the 
Father  and  of  the  Son,  neither  made,  nor  created,  nor  be- 
gotten, but  proceeding ;  so  there  is  one  Father,  not  three 
Fathers,  one  Son,  not  three  Sons,  one  Holy  Ghost,  not  three 
Holy  Ghosts." 

Meditation. 

Oh  unfathomable  depth  of  the  Divine  glory  !  "  Who  by 
searching  can  find  out  God  to  perfection  1 "  But  all  that 
he  has  revealed  of  himself  shews  his  extended  wonders  of 
love  and  glory  towards  sinful  men.  How  can  I  duly  mag- 
nify the  divine  glory  of  that  Spirit  who  is  everywhere  pre- 
sent, and  makes  the  human  body  of  a  sinful  creature  trust- 
ing in  Jesus,  the  temple  of  his  choice,  and  the  abode  in 
which  he  imparts  his  grace  ! 

8.  THE  NAMES  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 

It  has  pleased  the  Divine  Spirit  to  reveal  himself  to  us 
in  the  scriptures  under  varied  names,  and  each  of  these 
helps  us  to  a  fuller  understanding  of  his  being  and  glories. 

The  most  common  name  by  which  he  is  distinguished  is 
Holy  Ghost  or  Holt  Spirit.  The  word  Spirit,  which 
also  denotes  wind  or  air  in  motion,  shews  us  that  the  air 
and  its  actings  in  the  natural  world  represents  to  us  the 


ON  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 


129 


Holy  Spirit  and  his  workings  in  the  spiritual  world.  (John 
iii.  8.)  The  air  is  universally  diffused,  invisible,  miglity 
in  operation,  absolutely  necessary  to  life,  and  distinct  from 
all  bodies.  So  also  is  the  Holy  Ghost.  He  is  everywhere 
present,  unseen,  almighty,  the  giver  of  life  to  the  soul,  dis- 
tinct in  nature  from  every  creature,  and  distinct  in  person 
from  the  Father  and  the  Son,  from  whom  he  proceeds.  He 
is  holy  as  separated  from  all  evil,  and  far  higher  than  all 
created  spirits,  and  the  communicator  of  holiness  to  us. 
Being  a  pure  Spirit,  he  has  access  to  our  spirits,  sweetly 
changes  our  will,  setting  before  us  spiritual  motives,  awak- 
ening us  to  a  sense  of  our  sjiiritual  danger,  alarming  our 
fears,  giving,  and  enlivening,  and  enlarging  faith,  hope, 
and  love,  and  so  dwelling  as  a  suggesting,  governing,  sanc- 
tifying, almighty  and  sovereign  Ruler  in  his  own  temple 
the  human  body,  and  working  in  us  all  "the  fruits  of  righ- 
teousness, which  are  by  Jesus  Christ  to  the  praise  and 
glory  of  God." 

He  is  tlie  comforter  ;  the  word  thus  rendered  means 
one  called  in  to  assist  another  in  distress,  and  includes  the 
ideas  of  Advocate,  Intercessor,  Guide,  and  Instructor.  It 
comprehends  all  that  assistance  which  the  Holy  Spirit 
nft'ords  to  us  in  our  weak,  sinful,  and  helpless  condition  ; 
supplying  the  absence  of  our  Divine  Redeemer,  and  help- 
ing all  our  infirmities.  It  is  the  privilege  of  the  people  of 
<jod  to  walk  in  the  comfort  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  (Acts  ix. 
•■n.)  He  is  promised  by  our  Lord  as  "  another  Comforter 
( 1  John  xiv.  in  addition  to  himself,  and  therefore  dis- 
tinct from  him.  And  his  gracious  work  imparts  the  most 
needful  help,  the  most  efhcient  strength,  the  most  satisfy- 
ing comfort  that  the  immortal  spirit  of  man  can  obtain 
here  below.  When  all  other  comfort  fails,  when  deep  dis- 
tress and  agony  overwhelm  the  soul,  the  Christian  has 
found  that  the  Holy  Sj)irit  can  give  "  the  oil  of  joy  for 
mourning,  and  the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  hea- 
viness." 

Bishop  Reynolds  thus  distinguishes  between  the  inter- 
cession of  our  Lord  Christ  and  that  of  the  Spirit :  "  Christ 


130 


CIIRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


is  our  advocate  at  tlie  tribunal  of  God's  justice,  to  plead 
our  cause  against  the  severity  of  his  law,  and  the  most 
righteous  and  undeniable  charge  of  sin  which  he  lays  upon 
us  ;  the  Holy  Spirit  is  our  advocate  at  the  tribunal  of  God's 
mercy,  enabling  us  there  to  clear  ourselves  against  tempta- 
tions and  murderous  assaults  of  our  spiritual  enemies. 
The  world  accuses  us  by  false  and  slanderous  calumnia- 
tions, laying  to  our  charge  things  which  we  never  did  :  the 
Spirit  in  this  case  makes  us  not  only  to  plead  our  inno- 
cency,  but  to  rejoice  in  our  fellowship  with  the  prophets 
which  were  before  us,  to  esteem  the  reproaches  of  Christ 
greater  riches  tlian  the  treasures  of  the  world  ;  to  count 
ourselves  happy  in  this,  that  it  is  not  such  low  marks  as 
we  are,  which  the  malice  of  the  world  aims  at,  but  the 
Spirit  of  glory  and  of  God  which  rests  upon  us,  who  is  on 
their  part  evil  spoken  of.  Satan,  that  grand  accuser  of 
the  brethren,  does  not  only  load  my  sins  upon  my  con- 
science, but  further  endeavours  to  exclude  me  from  the 
benefit  of  Christ,  by  charging  me  with  impenitence  and 
unbelief :  but  here  the  Spirit  enables  me  to  clear  myself 
against  the  father  of  lies." 

He  is  called  the  eternal  Spirit  (Heb.  ix.  14),  as  being 
truly  and  properly  God,  existing  from  eternity,  and  in- 
habiting eternity.  Isaiah  asks,  respecting  the  creation  of 
our  world  :  "  Who  hath  directed  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  or 
being  his  counsellor  hath  taught  him  1  With  whom  took 
he  counsel,  and  who  instructed  him  and  taught  him  in  the 
path  of  judgment,  and  taught  him  knowledge,  and  shewed 
to  him  the  way  of  understanding  ?"  (Isaiah  xl.  13,  14.) 
Precious  is  this  title  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  assuring  us  of 
eternal  salvation,  which,  like  its  great  Author,  shall  never 
fail,  but  be  maintained  amidst  all  the  temptations  and 
trials  of  this  evil  world,  and  secured  against  decay  through 
eternity.  God  has  "  loved  us,  and  given  us  everlasting 
consolation  and  good  hope  through  grace."  May  we  cease 
from  self,  and  cease  from  man,  and  depend  only  on  this 
Eternal  Spirit. 

The  Spirit  of  truth  is  another  title  of  the  Holy  Ghost ; 


ON  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 


131 


our  Lord  thus  testifying  :  "  I  have  many  things  to  say  unto 
you,  but  ye  cannot  bear  them  now ;  liowbeit  when  he,  the 
Spirit  of  truth,  is  come,  lie  will  guide  you  into  all  truth." 
(John  xvi.  12, 13.)  Truth,  in  its  fullest  sense,  belongs  only 
to  the  unchangeable  God,  from  whom  all  things  proceed  ; 
man  walketh  in  a  vain  shadow,  deceived  hy  false  appear- 
ances :  but  God  dwells  in  light,  and  beholding  in  that  light 
both  himself  and  all  the  creatures  whom  he  has  made,  his 
word  pronounces  on  them  according  to  their  true  nature  ; 
he  is  too  wise  to  err,  too  good  to  deceive,  a  God  of  truth  ; 
so  also  our  Lord  says  to  his  disciples,  "  I  am  the  truth." 
And  as  this  is  a  title  of  divine  glory  given  to  the  Father, 
and  the  Son,  so  St.  John  says,  "  the  Spirit  is  truth." 

Truth  is  the  firm,  immutaljle  realit}'  of  things,  as  ordained 
by  him  who  is  emphatically  "  the  God  of  truth."  (Deut. 
xxxii.  4.)  In  the  view  of  this  name  of  the  Spirit,  how 
sweet  are  the  promises  of  his  teaching  :  "  the  Holy  Ghost 
shall  teach  you  all  things."  (John  xiv.  26.)  Exposed  as 
we  are  to  error  on  every  side,  how  infinitely  merciful  is 
God  to  provide  for  our  guidance  the  Spirit  of  truth  himself 
to  be  our  teacher,  so  that  a  Christian  may  say,  "  the  truth 
dwelleth  in  us,  and  shall  be  with  us  for  ever."  Every 
Christian  is  one  "  purifying  his  soul  in  obeying  the  truth 
through  the  Spirit  ;  "  God  himself  imparting  his  Spirit  to 
us  for  this  great  end. 

The  Spirit  of  life  is  another  name  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
Thus  the  apostle  says,  "  the  law  of  the  Spirit  of  life  in 
Christ  Jesus  hath  made  me  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and 
death."  Natural  (Gen.  vii.  22),  spiritual  (Rom.  viii.  John 
iii.  v),  and  everlasting  life  (Gal.  vi.  2,)  come  through  his 
gift.  As  no  living  being  can  exist  withoijt  air,  so  there 
can  be  no  spiritual  existence  without  the  Spirit  of  God. 
Christians  are  born  of  the  Spirit  (Gal.  v.  2.^),  and  are 
quickened  by  the  Spirit.  (Rom.  viii.  11).  All  the  graces 
that  manifest  a  living  soul  are  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit. 
There,  then,  must  we  apply  for  fresh  supplies  to  strengthen 
and  animate  anew  the  spiritual  life,  to  revive  us  when 
drooping,  and  sustain  us  when  fainting. 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Many  other  names  of  the  Divine  Spirit  might  be  added. 
He  is  called  "  the  Spirit  of  wisdom  and  understanding,  the 
Spirit  of  counsel  and  might,  the  Spirit  of  knowledge  and 
the  fear  of  the  Lord"  (Isaiah  xi.  2),  "the  good  Spirit" 
(Psalm  cxliii.  10),  "the  free  Spirit"  (Psalm  li.  12),  "  the 
Spirit  of  judgment  and  burning  "  (Isa.  iv.  4),  "  the  seven 
Spirits  which  are  before  the  throne"  (Rev.  i.  5),  "the 
Spirit  of  grace"  (Zech,  xi.  10.  Heb.  x,  29),  "  the  Spirit 
of  promise,"  (Eph.  i.  13)  ;  but  we  cannot  enlarge.  Let 
the  reader  search  the  sacred  volume. 

To  these  may  be  joined  those  figures  by  which  he  is  re- 
presented, such  as  "water"  (John  vii.  39),  "a  mighty 
wind  "  (Acts  ii.  2),  "  fire  "  (Matt.  iii.  11),  "  oil "  (Heb.  i. 
9),  and  the  like. 

Meditation. 

What  fulness  of  grace,  and  love,  and  comfort  do  these 
names  display  !  How  graciously  has  the  Lord  of  all  con- 
descended to  meet  my  infirmities,  and  provided  a  supply 
for  all  my  wants.  May  I  credit  his  love,  apply  for  his  pro- 
mised aid,  be  made  meet  for  his  kingdom,  and  inherit  his 
glory  ! 

4.  JESUS  RECEIVING  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT  FOR  US. 

How  can  the  divine  Spirit  dwell  with  sinful  man  1  It 
is  the  testimony  of  God  :  "  Know  ye  not  that  ye  are  the 
temple  of  God,  and  that  the  Spirit  of  God  dwelleth  in  you. 
If  any  person  defile  the  temple  of  God,  him  shall  God  de- 
.stroy  ;"  but  we  are  continually,  by  unholy  thoughts,  de- 
filing his  templi:.  And  yet  we  infinitely  need  the  Spirit  of 
God,  and  if  we  have  it  not  we  shall  perish  in  the  day  of 
his  wrath.  Provision  is  made  for  this  our  great  necessity 
in  our  Head  and  Lord,  whose  very  name  is  Messiah,  Christ, 
the  anointed  One,  in  reference  to  the  Holy  Ghost  which  he 
has  received  for  us.  He  was  the  Lamb  slain  from  the  foun- 
dation of  the  world,  and  through  him  from  the  beginning 
the  divine  Spirit  was  given  to  men.  But  when  he  had 
atoned  for  the  guilt  of  all  men  by  his  death,  and  obeyed 


ON  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 


the  law  for  us  and  ascended  on  high,  he  received  tlie  Holy 
Ghost  in  larger  and  fuller  measure  (John  vii.  39),  as  a  gift 
for  his  rebellious  brethren,  that  "  the  Lord  God  might 
dwell  among  them."  We,  believing  God's  love  in  him, 
receive  those  gifts  through  faith.  Righteous  in  him,  we 
receive  from  him  his  own  Spirit,  so  that  "  if  any  man  have 
not  tlie  Spirit  of  Christ  he  is  none  of  his."  The  type  of 
Aaron  anointed  with  holy  oil  (Exod.  xxx.  25 — 30),  is  a 
beautiful  representation  of  the  spiritual  unction  which  our 
Redeemer  receives  for  all  the  members  of  his  body.  We, 
the  members  of  his  body,  have  a  oneness  with  him,  so  that 
ajl  the  gifts  bestowed  on  him  descend  on  us  ;  David  speaks 
of  this  unity  :  "  It  is  like  the  precious  ointment  upon  the 
head,  that  ran  down  to  the  beard,  even  Aaron's  beard,  tiiat 
went  down  to  the  skirts  of  his  garments." 

The  Spirit  was  given  without  measure  to  our  Lord,  and 
so  he  was  "  full  of  grace  and  truth,"  and  all  this  was  as 
Son  of  man,  in  our  nature,  as  our  Head  and  for  our  use. 
Let  us  realize,  then,  our  standing  in  Jesus.  "Being  jus- 
tified by  faith,  we  have  peace  with  God,  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  by  whom  also  we  have  access  by  faith  unto 
this  grace  wherein  we  stand,  and  rejoice  in  hope  of  the 
glory  of  God."  There  is  an  inexhaustil)le  fulness  provided 
in  Christ  for  our  use  :  Faith  receives  it,  rejoices  in  it,  and 
is  filled  with  love  to  God.  "  Of  his  fulness  have  all  we  re- 
ceived, and  grace  for  grace."  How  precious  then  is  faitli 
in  the  divine  testimony  !  What  a  root  of  spiritual  life  and 
blessedness  here,  and  what  a  duor  of  entrance  to  all  the  glo- 
ries promised  hereafter  ! 

Meditation. 

Oh  what  amazing  mysteries  of  wisdom  and  love  are  hid 
in  Christ  Jesus  for  sinful  and  rebellious  man  !  What  a 
day  of  grace  is  that  in  which  I  now  live,  and  what  need  I 
have  to  take  heed  that  1  receive  not  all  this  grace  in  vain, 
losing  by  unbelief  those  rich  treasures  which  God  has  stored 
up  in  Jesus  for  me,  and  incurring  the  awful  guilt  of  neg- 
lecting so  great  salvation  ! 


1S4 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


•5.  THE  OFFICE  OF  THE  SPIRIT  IN  REDEMPTION. 

The  great  office  of  the  Spirit  of  God  is  to  impart  spiritual 
life  to  tlie  soul,  and  maintain  and  carry  it  unto  perfection. 
"  Except  a  man  be  born  again  (or  from  above)  he  cannot 
see  the  Ivingdom  of  God."  (Jolin  iii.  8.)  This  is  not,  as 
our  Lord  shewed  Nicodemus,  a  natural,  but  a  spiritual  new 
birth.  lie  said  to  him,  "  Marvel  not  that  I  said  unto  thee, 
Ye  must  be  born  again.  The  wind  blows,  (or  as  it  might 
be  rendered,  the  Spirit  breathes,)  wliere  it  listeth,  and  thou 
hearest  the  sound,  but  canst  not  tell  whence  it  cometh,  and 
whither  it  goeth  ;  so  is  every  one  that  is  born  of  the 
Spirit."  We  want  spiritual  life,  before  we  can  produce  or 
even  understand  spiritual  actions,  and  the  Holy  Spirit 
alone  can  produce  this  life  in  us.  It  is  his  gracious  office, 
in  giving  us  this  life,  to  "  shed  abroad  the  love  of  God  in 
our  hearts,"  to  "  take  of  the  things  of  Christ  and  shew 
them  to  us,"  (Rom.  v.  5.  John  xvi.  14,  15.)  We  thus 
see  how  gi-eatly  we  have  wronged  our  God  by  hard  thoughts 
and  alienation  of  mind.  We  thus  see  that  God  does  really 
love  us,  though  sinful,  and  has  put  away  all  our  sins  by 
the  sacrifice  of  Christ.  We  see  that  he  has  given  oppor- 
tunity and  space  for  repentance  and  recovery  of  our  lost 
liappiness,  and  that  we  may  yet,  through  faith  in  his  word, 
he  restored  to  happiness,  the  enjoyment  of  his  favour  and 
love,  the  highest  privilege  of  the  creature,  confidence  and 
delight  in  the  Lord  of  all.  These  are  the  good  tidings  which 
the  gospel  brings  to  all  men,  and  which  the  Holy  Ghost 
applies  with  power  to  the  heart  of  the  believer.  God  has 
most  plainly  revealed  his  love  to  all  the  world  by  the 
gift  of  his  only-begotten  Son,  Christ  Jesus  (.John  iii.  16), 
and  has  thus  given  the  strongest  of  all  possible  proofs  of  his 
hatred  of  sin,  and  his  amazing,  but  righteous  love  to  every 
human  being.  (Rom.  viii.  32.)  These  things  we  are  to 
believe,  on  the  divine  testimony,  which  is  God's  means  and 
ordinance  for  giving  the  Spirit  (Gal.  iii.  2),  and  for  pro- 
ducing faith  in  our  hearts  (Rom.  x.  17.   James  i.  18),  and 


ON  THK  HOLY  SPIRIT. 


135 


which  testimony  none  can  reject  but  from  wilful  unbelief 
and  love  of  sin.  On  believing  God's  truth,  as  made  known 
to  us  in  his  word,  and  then  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  asking 
for  and  seeking  his  great  gift  (John  iv.  10),  we  obtain  more 
and  more  of  the  aid,  the  promised  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
and  more  and  more  full  and  joyful  confidence  in  the  loving- 
kindness  of  our  heavenly  Father. 

The  Holy  Ghost  is  the  present  representative  of  Jesus, 
supplying  his  absence,  and  being  the  advocate,  interces- 
sor, and  comforter  of  the  church,  while  our  Lord  is  gone 
into  the  far  country  to  receive  for  himself  his  kingdom. 
And  this  he  does  with  such  largeness  and  fulness  of  grace 
and  love,  that  our  Lord  himself  said,  "  I  will  tell  you  the 
truth,  it  is  expedient  for  you  that  I  go  away,  for  if  I  go 
not  away,  the  Comforter  will  not  come  unto  you,  but  if  I 
de  part  I  will  send  him  unto  you." 

The  Holy  Ghost,  being  the  same  Spirit  by  which  our 
Lord  was  anointed,  filled,  and  animated,  and  enabled  to 
offer  himself  without  spot  unto  God  (Heb.  ix.  14),  is  given 
to  us  also  to  enable  us  to  tread  in  the  steps  of  our  divine 
Master,  to  know  the  Father's  love,  to  suffer  with  Christ 
here,  to  mortify  the  deeds  of  the  body,  to  attain  inward 
purity  and  holiness,  to  glow  with  fervent  love,  to  be  empty 
of  self,  and  glory  only  in  the  Lord,  even  as  did  our  great 
Redeemer. 

Oh  what  an  important  office  is  that  which  is  thus  gra- 
ciously undertaken  by  the  Holy  Spirit ! — to  train  up,  pre- 
pare, and  educate  the  children  of  God  for  their  everlasting 
glory.  A  world  of  fallen  creatures  and  guilty  rebels  are 
for  a  season  spared,  that  they  "  may  obtain  mercy  and 
find  grace  to  help  in  time  of  need,"  and  out  of  them  are 
gathered  those  who  shall  be  equal  with  the  angels  ;  those 
who  shall  be  heirs  of  God  and  joint  heirs  with  Christ,  and 
reign  for  ever  and  ever.  That  they  may  be  made  meet  for 
this  inheritance,  the  Holy  Ghost  himself  is  their  teacher 
and  their  sanctifier,  as  well  as  the  beginner  of  that  new  life 
which  will  last  through  eternitj'. 

Let  us,  then,  Christian  reader,  clearly  see  that  in  our- 


136 


CHRISTIAN  TRTTH 


selves  is  nothing  but  sin,  and  uuilt,  and  condemnation  ; 
unbelief,  misery,  and  ruin  :  but  that  in  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  our  heavenly  Father  has  provided  all  good  things 
for  us,  exactly  adapted  to  our  many  wants  and  great  ne- 
cessities. Have  clear  views  on  this  important  subject,  for 
though  all  evil  is  of  us,  and  all  good  is  of  God  ;  yet 
through  our  pride  and  love  of  sin,  we  are  alwaj-s  prone  to 
charge  evil  on  God  and  lay  credit  to  good  as  if  it  were  our 
own.  St.  James  guards  us  against  this  double  error,  putting 
between  those  opposite  falsehoods  the  solemn  charge,  "  Do 
not  err,  my  beloved  brethren.  Let  no  man  say  when  he  is 
tempted,  I  am  tempted  of  God  ;"  and  on  the  other  hand, 
"  Every  good  gift  and  every  perfect  gift  is  from  above." 

The  gracious  office  of  the  Spirit  in  the  heart  of  man  is 
diversified  and  multiplied,  and  altogether  perfect.  Hence 
in  the  symbolic  book  of  Revelation  he  is  described  as  "  the 
seven  spirits  which  are  before  the  throne,"  and  Jesus  is 
said  "  to  have  the  seven  spirits,"  (Rev.  i.  4  ;  iii.  1),  the 
number  seven  being  a  perfect  number,  and  implying  all  the 
many  gifts  of  the  Spirit,  which  are  needful  for  our  ever- 
lasting bliss. 

Meditation. 

Oh,  how  much  I  have  neglected  and  disregarded  that 
which  so  infinitely  concerns  my  salvation,  the  full  pro- 
vision which  the  God  of  all  grace  has  made  for  niy  re- 
covery !  0  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  proceeding  from  the  Fa- 
ther and  the  Son,  have  mercy  upon  me,  a  miserable  sinner, 
and  come  and  dwell  evermore  in  my  heart ! 

6.  THE  LOVE  OF  THE  SPIRIT  IX  UXDERTAKIXG  AX  OFFICE 
IX  OUR  REDEMPTIOX. 

The  love  of  the  Father,  and  the  love  of  the  Son,  and  the 
love  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in  the  recovery  of  man,  is  all  one. 
"When  the  apostle  Paul  had  earnestly  to  entreat  the  prayers 
of  the  Romans,  he  does  it  by  this  twofold  plea  :  "  for  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ's  sake,  and  for  the  love  of  the  Spirit." 


ON  TUE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 


137 


Let  us  refresh  our  hearts,  then,  for  a  moment  in  dvvcllinj;- 
on  the  love  of  the  Spirit. 

Why  were  not  sucli  sinful  beings  as  we  were,  rebelling 
against  the  God  of  love,  passed  by  altogether  ?  We  were 
alienated  from  the  life  of  God,  and  our  carnal  mind  was 
enmity  against  hiin.  The  full  spring  of  love  would  not 
allow  it.  "  I  passed  by  thee  and  looked  upon  thee,  and 
behold  thy  time  was  a  time  of  love."  (Ezek.  xvi.  8.)  God 
the  Holy  Ghost  comes  to  us  now,  and  he  is  with  us  as  the 
God  of  peace  and  love." 

His  whole  work  manifests  his  love  ;  his  striving  with 
men,  his  raising  up  ministers,  his  inspiration  of  the  sacred 
volume,  the  part  he  took  in  the  life,  miracles,  and  work, 
resurrection  and  mediation,  of  Jesus  our  head  ;  his  free 
])romises  of  himself  to  those  that  ask,  the  fulness  with 
which  he  now  dwells  in  Christ  for  us,  and  his  willingness 
to  come  and  abide  with  such  poor,  needy,  wretched  worms 
as  we  are  :  oh  what  love  is  there  in  these  things  !  He  does 
not  spurn  or  despise  the  lowest  of  the  low,  the  poorest  of 
tlie  poor,  the  most  ignorant  of  the  ignorant,  but  will  hear 
their  c»y  and  will  help  them. 

In  the  work  of  comforting  the  mourner  we  discern  the 
love  of  the  Spirit.  He  first  convinces  of  sin,  and  when  our 
eves  are  opened  to  see  its  vileness  and  baseness,  then  he 
speaks  peace  and  joy  :  the  title  he  bears  is  such  a  title  of 
liive — the  Comforter.  "  I  will  not  leave  j'ou  comfortless," 
or  orphans,  says  our  divine  Redeemer;  the  Holy  Ghost, 
like  a  tender  parent,  is  sent  to  watch  over  us  and  teach  us 
all  things,  and  by  him  Jesus  fulfils  his  predicted  office  "  to 
comfort  all  that  mourn,  to  appoint  unto  them  that  mourn 
in  Zion,  to  give  them  beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for 
mourning,  and  the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heavi- 
ness, that  they  might  be  called  the  trees  of  righteousness, 
the  planting  of  the  Lord  that  he  might  be  glorified."  How 
tender  must  be  the  love  which  thus  manifests  itself  !  which 
thus  meets  the  greatest  necessity,  and  makes  it  the  occa- 
sion of  filling  us  with  beauty,  joy,  and  praise,  stability  and 
f'l  uitfulness,  to  the  glory  of  God  our  Father  ! 


138 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


The  veiy  name  and  emblem  by  Avliich  the  Holy  Ghost  is 
distinguished  seems  chosen  to  express  to  us  the  same  full 
and  tender  love — I  mean  that  of  the  dove  :  "  When  Jesus 
was  baptized  the  heaven  was  opened,  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
descended  in  a  bodily  shape,  like  a  dove,  upon  him,  and  it 
abode  upon  him  :"  the  very  name  implies  mildness  and 
gentleness.  Oh  that  that  Spirit  which  ever  abode  in  the 
meek  and  lowly,  the  holy  and  heavenly  Master,  may  also, 
according  to  his  promise,  dwell  for  ever  with  us  ! 

Meditation. 

0  my  soul,  surely  thou  hast  been  greatly  negligent  of 
thy  best  and  kindest  and  most  powerful  friend,  and  of  thy 
fullest  source  of  comfort,  and  joy,  and  happiness !  May 
I  think  much  more  hereafter  of  the  love  of  the  divine  Spirit 
to  my  soul,  and  may  it  be  manifest  that  he  dwells  in  me, 
by  my  having  and  shewing  his  forgiving,  gracious,  boun- 
tiful, and  enlarged  love  to  all  others,  and  thus  exhibiting 
the  reality  of  my  new  birth  :  "  that  which  is  born  of  the 
Spirit  is  spirit." 

7.  OUR  DUTY  TO  THE  SPIRIT. 

All  our  privileges  call  us  to  duties  ;  and  again,  in  the 
fulfilment  of  those  duties  is  our  truest  privilege.  Duty  is 
that  service  which  we  owe  to  another  under  the  circum- 
stances in  which  we  are  placed  by  him  who  made  us  ;  to 
him  who  is  our  Creator,  our  Redeemer,  our  Sanctifier,  and 
our  Judge,  our  first  and  highest  service  is  due.  Many 
are  the  parts  of  that  duty  which  we  owe  to  the  divine 
Spirit. 

Not  to  resist  the  Spirit.  Before  the  flood,  the  wick- 
edness of  men  was  great  in  the  earth,  because  they  re- 
sisted the  Holy  Spirit.  "  And  the  Lord  said,  my  Spirit 
shall  not  always  strive  with  man."  The  Israelites  in 
general  "  rebelled  and  vexed  his  Holy  Spirit."  Isaiah 
Lxiii.  10. 

Before  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  St.  Stephen  warus 


ON  THE  nOLY  SPIRIT. 


139 


the  Jews,  "  Ye  do  always  resist  the  Holy  Ghost ;  "  as  your 
fathers  did,  so  do  ye.  Men  resist  the  Holy  Ghost  by  re- 
sisting the  truth  which  proceeds  from  his  inspiration,  and 
is  designed  to  save  their  souls.  In  days  when  the  gospel  is 
brouglit  before  men  with  peculiar  brightness  under  the 
display  of  miracles,  men  may  be  so  in  love  with  sin,  and 
so  hate  holiness,  as  to  be  guilty  of  "  blasphemy  against  the 
Holy  Gliost,"  (Matt.  xii.  31,)  which  seems  to  be  the  obsti- 
nate and  wilful  ascribing  of  the  work  of  the  Holy  Ghost  to 
Satan,  and  so  rejecting  the  gospel  in  its  fullest  and  highest 
evidence.  Tlie  apostle  Paul  indeed  resisted  the  gospel  and 
its  miracles,  and  ol)tained  mercy,  and  gives  as  one  reason, 
because  he  "  did  it  ignorantly  in  unbelief,"  which  may 
guard  us  against  presumption  ;  and  he  gives  as  another 
reason,  that  lie  "  might  be  a  pattern  "  of  Christ's  long- 
suffering  "  to  them  which  should  hereafter  believe,"  which 
may  guard  us  against  despair. 

To  PRAY  FOR  THE  HoLY  Ghost.  This  precious  gift,  as 
it  is  the  most  important  of  all  gifts  we  can  receive,  so  it  is 
most  clearly  promised  in  the  scriptures,  and  that  expressly 
to  those  who  pray  for  it.  "  If  ye,  being  evil,  know  how  to 
give  good  gifts  to  your  children,  how  much  more  shall  your 
heavenly  Father  give  the  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask 
him."  Luke  xi.  13.  So  when  the  Jews  are  promised,  "  I 
will  put  my  Spirit  within  you,"  they  are  told,  "  Thus  saith 
the  Lord  God,  I  will  yet  for  this  be  inquired  of  by  tlie  house 
of  Israel  to  do  it  for  them."  How  earnestly,  then,  even 
every  day,  should  we  ask  our  most  merciful  Father,  who 
gave  his  Son  to  die  for  us,  to  give  us  also  his  Holy  Sjjirit 
to  dwell  within  us ! 

Not  to  grieve  the  Spirit.  God  tiie  Holy  Ghost  de- 
lights in  dwelling  with  men.  God  our  Father  "  doth  not 
afflict  willingly,  nor  grieve  the  children  of  men."  (Lam.  iii. 
83.)  But  all  sin,  because  it  dishonours  God  and  brings 
misery  on  the  creature,  is  most  grievous  to  the  Holy  Ghost: 
therefore  this  solemn  charge  is  given,  "  Let  no  corrupt 
communication  proceed  out  of  your  mouth,  but  that  which 
is  good  to  the  use  of  edifying,  that  it  may  minister  grace  to 


140 


CIIRTSTIAN  TRUTH  : 


the  hearers  ;  and  grieve  not  the  Holy  Spirit,  wherehy  ye 
are  sealed  unto  the  day  of  redemption."  We  ought'then  to 
be  so  grateful  for  the  love  and  work  of  the  Spirit  for  us, 
and  so  sensilile  of  the  value  of  his  residence  within  us,  that 
we  should  dread  grieving  him  by  allowing  anything  in  our- 
selves contrary  to  his  holy  mind  and  heavenly  purity  and 
love.  When  we  grieve  him  we  also  "  quench  the  Spirit ;  " 
for  as  damp  or  wet  things  put  on  a  fire  tend  to  extinguish 
its  bright  flame,  and  make  all  dark  and  dreary,  so  sin 
dulls  tlie  bright  light,  and  damps  the  cheering  heat  of  the 
Spirit  of  God. 

To  WALK  IN  THE  Spirit  (Gal.  v.  16.)  is  both  our  duty 
and  our  privilege.  He  condescends  to  dwell  in  us,  to  guide 
us,  to  lead  us,  and  to  teach  us,  and  it  is  our  happy  life  to 
walk  all  day  long  in  his  light  and  his  love.  Oh  the  bless- 
edness of  having  our  minds  filled  with  the  sense  of  his 
power,  presence  and  grace,  his  willingness  to  help  us  at  all 
times,  and  to  dwell  in  us,  as  in  the  temple  where  he  de- 
lights to  reside  !  What  causes  of  thankfulness  have  we  to 
God  that  he  is  willing  to  conduct  us  in  all  the  paths  of 
holiness  and  happiness,  till  he  brings  us  to  the  promised 
glory  !  Now  our  course  should  be,  more  and  more  to  be 
filled  with  the  Spirit,  to  increase  and  grow  in  the  Spirit,  to 
be  more  manifestly  his  temples,  and  his  epistles  known  and 
read  of  all  men,  to  the  glory  of  God  our  Father. 

Communion  of  the  Holy  Ghost  is  the  last  duty  we 
would  notice.  It  is  indeed  rather  a  rich  privilege  than  a 
duty,  and  is  thus  noticed  twice  by  St.  Paul.  (Phil.  ii.  1. 
2  Cor.  iii.  14.)  It  is  believingly,  gratefullj',  and  joyfully 
on  our  part  to  receive  all  those  gracious  gifts  which  the 
Holy  Ghost  bestows,  and  to  render  to  him  all  worship, 
praise,  love,  reverence  and  obedience.  It  is  marked  by 
earnest  thirstings  after  him.  Thus  our  Lord  says,  "  If 
any  man  thirst,  let  him  come  unto  me  and  drink.  He  that 
believeth  on  me,  as  the  scripture  saith,  out  of  his  belly 
shall  flow  rivers  of  living  water  ;  but  this  spake  he  of  the 
Spirit,  which  they  that  believe  on  him  should  receive." 
We,  in  communion  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  glorify  and  bless 


ON  THE  HOLY  SPiniT. 


141 


him,  who  enriches  us  witli  his  grace  ;  so  that  there  is  a 
sweet  interchange  of  mercies  and  thanksgivings,  of  gifts 
and  gratitude,  of  grace  and  obedience.  We  pray  for  grace 
and  peac?  from  the  seven  spirits  which  are  before  the 
throne  ;  (Rev.  i.  4.)  he  hears  our  prayers,  fills  us  with 
grace  and  peace,  and  we  rejoice  in  his  love,  and  say, 
"  Thanks  be  unto  God  for  his  unspeakable  gift  ! " 

Prayer  for  the  Holy  Ghost. 

0  thou  who  hast  revealed  thy  love  to  us  under  the  ten- 
der name  of  Father,  and  though  thou  art  the  High  and 
Loft}'  One  that  inhabitest  eternity,  and  we  are  most  evil 
and  sinful,  dost  yet  permit  us,  by  one  wearing  our  form, 
most  dear  to  thee,  even  Jesus  our  Lord,  to  come  with 
boldness  unto  thee  ;  look  upon  me  through  that  Mediator, 
that  I  may  be  accepted  in  thy  beloved  Son,  and  viewed  in 
him  as  thine  own  child. 

0  my  merciful  Father,  if  evil  men  give  good  gifts  to 
their  children  when  they  ask,  wilt  not  thou  give  good  things 
to  us  when  we  ask  ?  for  thou  art  our  heavenly  Father,  full 
of  goodness  and  faithfulness,  full  of  power,  riches,  truth, 
and  love.  Give  me  then  that  good  gift,  thine  own  Spirit  ! 
O'li  deny  me  not  thine  own  Spirit  !  bestow,  even  upon  me, 
this  inestimably  precious  gift,  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  dwell  in 
me  as  in  his  own  temple,  to  abide  there  for  ever,  and  to 
receive  from  me  constant  love,  faith,  obedience,  and  rever- 
ence, while  he  is  my  constant  teacher,  guide,  sanctifier,  and 
comforter. 

Oh  that  every  thing  I  do  may  be  under  his  instruction, 
controul,  and  life-giving  power  !  Help  me  to  pray  in  the 
Holy  Ghost,  to  walk  in  the  Spirit,  and  live  after  the  Spirit ; 
to  bring  forth  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit,  and  evermore  to  enjoj- 
his  most  holy  and  heart-reviving  communion. 

Preserve  me  from  vexing,  rebelling  against,  quenching, 
or  resisting  the  Holy  Ghost.  Let  me  never  by  my  sins 
grieve  the  Spirit  from  whom  is  all  my  light,  life,  holiness, 
and  joy  !    Take  not  thy  Holy  Spirit  from  me,  but  ever- 


U2 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


more  uphold  me,  even  to  the  end,  in  thy  ways  by  thy  free 
Spirit. 

0  Holy  Ghost,  the  Comforter,  come  thou  and  dwell  in 
me  ;  shed  abroad  the  love  of  God  in  my  heart  ;  convince 
me  of  the  sin  of  unbelief  ;  convince  me  of  righteousness 
through  him  who  is  gone  to  the  Father  ;  convince  me  of 
his  victories  over  Satan  ;  shew  me  the  things  of  Christ ; 
shew  me  the  things  to  come  ;  work  in  me  miglitily  and 
effectually  the  work  of  faitli  with  power,  the  full  assu- 
rance of  hope,  and  all  the  enlargement  of  love.  Holy  Ghost, 
enter  thine  own  temple,  and  there  abide  for  ever  ! 

Hear  me,  0  my  Father  !  to  whom  with  the  Son  and  the 
Holy  Ghost,  three  persons  in  one  God,  be  glory  for  ever. 

8.  THE  ENLARGED  OUTPOURING  OF  THE  HOLY  GHOST. 

There  has  been,  from  the  beginning,  as  the  human  race 
has  been  multiplying,  a  constant  and  gradually  increasing 
gift  of  the  Spirit  to  man.  Abel,  Enoch,  and  Noah,  Abra- 
ham, Isaac,  and  Jacob,  Moses  and  Joshua,  Samuel  and  all 
the  prophets,  David  and  other  fiious  kings,  were  raised  up, 
under  the  Old  Testament,  through  the  Holy  Spirit.  Our 
Lord's  first  coming  was  followed  by  the  enlarged  first-fruits 
of  the  Holy  Spirit,  on  the  day  of  Pentecost,  and  then  the 
church  of  the  living  God  was  still  farther  enlarged  by  Gen- 
tile converts.  Christian  truth  was  seen  struggling  through 
the  conflicts  of  the  first  four  or  five  centuries  to  the  full 
establishment  in  the  Roman  Empire  of  a  visible  church. 
The  gradual  extension  of  that  church  issued  in  the  king- 
doms of  Europe  everywhere  nationally  acknowledging 
Christ.  At  the  Reformation,  the  spiritual  church  became 
more  distinctly  marked  and  separated  from  the  merely 
formal  church.  God  has  been  all  along  preparing  the  way 
for  that  happy  predicted  aera,  when  it  shall  be  said,  "  The 
kingdoms  of  this  world  are  become  the  kingdoms  of  our 
Lord  and  of  his  Christ,"  and  "  the  Deliverer  shall  come 
out  of  Sion,  and  turn  away  ungodliness  from  Jacob." 
There  are  large  and  full  promises,  of  which  we  have 


ON  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 


143 


yet  only  received  a  small  commencement.  "  It  shall  come 
to  pass  in  the  last  days,  saith  God,  I  will  pour  out  of  my 
Spirit  upon  all  flesh."  All  righteousness  is  eminently 
wrought  in  our  hearts  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  "  we,  ac- 
cording to  his  promise,  look  for  a  new  heavens  and  a  new 
earth,  wherein  dwelleth  righteousness." 

P  rayer  for  the  further  outpouring  of  the  Spirit. 

0  God,  our  Saviour,  who  hast  required  us  to  pray  for 
all  men,  and  hast  told  us  that  this  is  good  and  acceptable 
in  thy  sight,  who  wilt  have  all  men  to  be  saved,  and  to 
come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  I  earnestly  pray  thee 
to  fulfil  thy  gracious  promises,  and  to  pour  out  in  these 
last  days  of  thy  Spirit  upon  all  flesh.  Impart,  I  pray 
thee,  the  spirit  of  grace  and  supplication  to  thy  people 
Israel,  grant  the  same  rich  grace  to  the  Gentiles,  and  let 
the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles  come  in,  and  all  Israel  be  saved, 
and  the  whole  earth  be  filled  with  thy  glory.  Hear  me, 
0  my  Father  !  for  my  Redeemer's  sake.  Amen. 


144 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  WORK  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 

1.  The  communications  of  the  Spirit — 2.  His  extraordinary  work — 3.  En- 
lightening of  the  Spirit — 4.  The  saactiiication  of  the  Spirit — 5.  The  comfort 
of  the  Spirit— 6.  The  freedom  with  which  God  gives  the  Spirit — Thanksgiving 
due  for  the  Spirit. 

1.  THE  COMMUNICATIONS  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 

It  has  pleased  God  to  give  us  in  his  word  many  important 
details  of  what  the  Holy  Spirit  has  done  for  man  from  age 
to  age.    These  details  will  be  briefly  noticed. 

When  the  world  was  first  created,  and  "  the  earth  was 
without  form,  and  void,  and  darkness  was  upon  tlie  face  of 
the  deep,"  then  "  the  Spirit  of  God  moved  upon  the  face  of 
the  waters  :  "  and  beauty  and  order,  light,  warmth,  and 
fruitfulness  ensued.  "  By  his  Spirit  he  hath  garnished  the 
heavens." 

When  man  was  made  in  the  image  and  likeness  of  God, 
it  was  through  the  Spirit.  "  The  Lord  God  breathed  into 
his  nostrils  the  breath  of  life."  Gen.  ii.  7.  "  The  Spirit 
of  God  hath  made  me,  and  the  breath  of  the  Almiglity  hath 
given  me  life."  Job  xxxiii.  44.  And  still  it  is  the  same 
power  that  creates  us  :  "  Thou  sendest  forth  thy  Spirit,  and 
they  are  created  ;  and  Thou  renewest  the  face  of  the  earth." 
Psalm  civ.  30. 

In  the  period  before  the  flood,  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  raised 
up  righteous  Abel,  Enoch  and  Noah.  He  also  strove  with 
the  world,  pleading  in  the  preaching  of  Noah,  and  espe- 
cially during  the  time  the  ark  was  building,  for  120  years. 


THE  WORK  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 


145 


In  the  call  of  Abraham  we  have  the  same  Spirit  working 
for  the  benefit  of  man.  "  Thou  ai*t  the  Lord  God  who 
didst  choose  Abraham,  and  broufrht  him  forth  out  of  the 
land  of  the  Chaldees."  Neh.  ix.  7.  "I  called  him  alone, 
and  blessed  him,  and  increased  him."  Isaiah  li.  2.  And 
■when  the  covenant  was  ratified  with  him  and  his  seed,  the 
burning  lamp  of  fire  passed  before  him  as  a  token  of  the 
consent  and  seal  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 

When  Joseph  interpreted  Pharaoh's  dreams,  the  king 
acknowledged  the  Spirit  of  God.  "  Can  we  find  such  a  one 
as  this  is,  a  man  in  whom  the  Spirit  of  God  is  ? "  Gen.  xli..'}8. 

The  same  Spirit  led  the  children  of  Israel  out  of  Egj^pt, 
and  guided  them  through  tlie  wilderness,  and  brought  them 
into  the  promised  land.    Thus  Isaiah  says  :  "  As  a  beast 
goeth  down  into  the  valley  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  caused 
him  to  rest,  so  didst  Thou  lead  thy  people,  to  make  thj-self 
a  glorious  name."    Isaiah  Ixiii,  18.    "  Thou  gavest  thy 
!  good  Spirit  to  instruct  them."    Neh.  ix.  20.    There  Moses 
j  wrote,  under  his  inspiration,  the  Pentateuch.    There  Beza- 
I  leel  and  Aholiab  were  filled  with  the  Spirit  of  God  for  the 
'  work  of  the  tabernacle.  Exod.  xxxi.    Thei-e  the  Spirit  of 
I  God  came  on  wicked  Balaam  to  inspire  even  him  with  true 
prophecies  of  the  future  blessedness  of  Israel. 

When  the  Israelites  had  conquered  Canaan,  and  weie 
brought  themselves  into  bondage  for  their  sins,  the  Spirit 
of  the  Lord  raised  up  Judges,  as  Othniel,  (Judges  iii.  10.) 
Gideon,  (vi.  34.)  Jepthah,  (xi.  29.)  Samson  (xiii.  25.)  to  be 
their  deliverers,  and  to  govern  them.  How  mightily  the 
same  Spirit  wrought  in  Elijah  his  whole  history  declares. 

David,  Solomon,  and  other  kings  were  filled  with  tiie 
same  Spirit,  and  thus  have  we  been  blessed  with  Psalms, 
Proverbs,  and  other  parts  of  the  Old  Testament.  "  The 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  spake  by  them,  and  his  words  were  in 
their  tongues."    2  Sam,  xxiii.  2. 

In  a  later  age  the  prophets  Isaiah,  Jeremiah,  Ezekiel, 
Daniel,  and  many  others,  down  to  Malachi,  the  last  of  the 
Old  Testament  prophets,  were  called  and  filled  with  the 
Spirit  of  God,  and  enabled  to  enrich  the  church  with  that 

I* 


U6 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  ! 


full  treasure,  the  histories  and  prophecies  of  the  Old  Testa- 
ment ;  the  fullest  light  of  prophecy  heing  given  in  the 
darkest  part  of  the  Jewish  history. 

In  all  this  history  the  loving-kindness  of  God  and  the 
sinfulness  of  man  were  wonderfully  contrasted.  While 
God  was  thus  blessing  his  people  Israel,  "  they  rebelled,  and 
vexed  his  Holy  Spirit."  Isaiah  Ixiii.  10.  They  mocked 
the  messengers  "  of  God,  and  despised  his  words,  and  mis- 
used his  prophets,  until  the  wrath  of  God  arose  against  his 
people  till  there  was  no  remedy."  2  Chron.  xxxvi.  Ifi. 
And  they  were  carried  captive  to  Babylon. 

But  God  forsook  not  his  people.  He  raised  up  Ezra  to 
help  in  their  return,  and  Nehemiahto  assist  in  the  restora- 
tion of  the  city,  and  his  Spirit  filled  the  prophets  Haggai 
and  Zechariah,  and  they  stirred  up  the  people  to  rebuild 
the  temple,  and  thus  a  remnant  were  again  gathered  in,  and 
blessed  in  their  own  land  :  "  not  by  might,  nor  by  power, 
but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts." 

Our  great  Lord  and  Redeemer  was  filled  with  the  Spirit 
without  measure.  He  was  "  conceived  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 
Matt.  i.  20.  At  his  baptism  the  Spirit  of  God  descended 
upon  him  like  a  dove,  and  "  through  the  eternal  Spirit 
he  offered  himself  without  spot  to  God."  St.  Peter  declared 
to  Cornelius,  "  God  anointed  Jesus  of  Nazareth  with  the 
Holy  God  and  with  power.  Acts  x.  88.  Here  was  indeed 
a  marvellous  work  ;  the  Father  sending  the  Son  ;  the  Son 
emptying  himself  of  his  Divine  glory,  and  taking  our  na 
ture  upon  him,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  enabling  him  in  that 
nature  to  work  miracles,  wonders  and  signs,  and  glorify 
his  God  and  our  God,  his  Father  and  our  Father. 

Before  our  Redeemer's  death  he  foretold  his  leaving  his 
church  for  a  season,  and  the  time  of  darkness,  and  sorrow 
and  tribulation,  his  disciples  should  endure  during  his 
absence  ;  but  promised  that  another  Comforter  should 
come,  and  more  than  supply  his  absence,  so  that  it  was 
advantageous  for  them  that  he  should  thus  for  a  time  b 
absent. 

On  the  resurrection  of  our  Redeemer,  and  hisappearanc 


THE  WORK  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 


147 


in  heaven  on  our  behalf,  followed,  according  to  his  faithful 
promise,  the  larger  gift  of  the  Spirit,  and  all  the  wonders  of 
the  day  of  Pentecost,  when  three  thousand  souls  were  added 
to  the  church,  and  the  gift  of  tongues  was  granted.  The 
qualifying  the  apostles  for  their  work,  the  holy  boldness 
with  which  the  once  fearful  disciples  were  endued,  and  the 
gifts  bestowed  on  them,  and  on  the  churciies  through  them, 
make  this  a  very  memorable  period  in  the  history  of  the 
Spirit's  communications. 

At  length  the  same  blessed  Spirit  was  given  to  us  Gen- 
tiles, first  in  the  case  of  Cqi-nelius,  and  then  by  the  apostle 
Paul,  who  was  remarkably  converted,  and  raised  up  to 
be  a  chosen  vessel  to  bear  the  name  of  Christ  before  the 
Gentiles. 

The  glowing  promise,  which  has  yet  to  be  realized  in  its 
fulness — "  It  shall  come  to  pass,  in  the  last  days,  I  will 
pour  out  my  Spirit  upon  all  flesh"— thus  began  its  glorious 
course  of  accomplishment,  and  how  blessed  the  state  of 
men  is  under  his  grace,  we  learn  in  the  accounts  of  the 
primitive  church  :  "  They  were  all  filled  with  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  they  spake  the  word  of  God  with  boldness,  and 
the  multitude  of  them  that  believed  were  of  one  heart  and 
of  one  soul.  Then  had  the  churches  rest,  and  were  edified  ; 
and,  walking  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  and  in  the  comfort  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  were  multiplied." 

The  four  gospels,  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  and  their 
epistles  to  the  churches,  were  given  under  his  immediate 
inspiration,  through  Jewish  writers,  to  the  Christian  church, 
consisting  of  Jews  and  Gentiles,  supplying  us  with  farther 
treasures  of  holy  oil  to  furnish  our  lamps  during  the  ab- 
sence of  our  heavenly  Bridegroom. 

The  Acts  of  the  Apostles  are  emphatically  the  history  of 
the  Spirit  for  a  period  of  about  thirty  years,  beginning  with 
his  work  at  Jerusalem,  detailing  the  rejection  of  the  gospel 
by  the  Jews,  and  leaving  us  at  Rome,  the  then  metropolis 
of  the  Gentile  world. 

The  Revelation  furnishes  us  with  the  further  history  of 
the  Spirit,  taking  up  the  sacred  narrative  at  the  fall  of  Je- 
L  i 


148 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


rusalem,  and  continuing  it  through  the  varied  trials  and 
sufferings  of  the  church,  with  the  grace  given  to  it  from 
age  to  age,  till  it  closes  in  the  return  of  our  Lord,  and  his 
reign  over  our  earth.  How  often  are  we  charged  in  this 
book  :  "  He  that  hath  an  ear  to  hear,  let  him  hear  what 
the  Spirit  saith  unto  the  churches." 

Every  fresh  manifestation  of  God,  as  we  see  in  the  giving 
of  the  law,  in  the  building  of  the  temple,  in  the  captivity, 
and  on  the  resuri'ection  of  Christ,  being  connected  with 
larger  and  larger  communications  of  his  Spirit,  we  may 
hope  for  the  largest  of  all  at  the  return  of  our  Redeemer. 
Then  "  the  earth  shall  be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  the 
Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea." 

Meditation. 

What  thanks  do  I  owe,  what  love  and  gratitude,  what 
confidence  and  joyful  obedience  to  that  heavenly  Father 
and  that  gracious  Redeemer,  and  that  Divine  Spirit,  the 
one  living  and  true  God,  who  leaves  men  not  as  orphans, 
in  a  waste  wilderness,  unprotected  and  uncared  for,  but 
has,  in  all  ages,  by  his  Spirit,  striven  with  us  sinners  ! 
Oh  what  joy  should  fill  my  heart  that  there  is  a  progressive 
advance  in  liis  communications,  and  that  since  my  Re- 
deemer went  away,  not  only  is  the  Holy  Spirit  more 
largely  imparted,  but  we  have  the  blessed  assurance  that 
he  shall  abide  with  us  for  ever.  Let  me  not,  then,  neglect 
my  special  advantages,  but  earnestly  thirst  after  these 
living  waters,  and  have  in  me  that  which  shall  be  "  a  well 
of  water  springing  up  unto  everlasting  life." 

1.  THE   EXTR.\.ORDINARY   WORK   OF   THE  SPIRIT. 

We  will  consider  the  more  extraordinary  work  of  the 
Spirit  under  its  two  most  important  features — the  inspira- 
tion of  the  scriptures,  and  the  working  of  miracles. 

First,  THE  INSPIRATION  OF  THE  SCRIPTURES.     This  is 

directly  ascribed  to  the  Spirit  of  God.  "  All  scripture  is 
given  by  inspiration  of  God."  2  Tim.  iii.  16.    "  Holy  men 


THE  WORK  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 


149 


of  God  spake  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost." 
2  Peter  i,  21.  And  this  is  so  completely  the  case,  that 
every  part  of  the  Bible  is  written  under  Divine  guidance 
for  our  learning.  Tliis  makes  the  scriptures,  in  every  part, 
the  word  of  God  and  not  of  man.  Thus  the  Bible  is  ines- 
timably precious,  and  altogether  distinct  from  every  other 
book.  God  has  not  only  given  outward  evidence  of  this 
that  is  convincing  to  the  most  learned  of  men,  but  an  in- 
ward evidence  that  is  altogether  satisfactory  to  every  pra}'- 
erful  and  humble  reader  of  the  Bible.  Its  promises  are 
fulfilled  to  its  own  comfort  ;  its  doctrines  correspond  to  his 
own  experience  ;  its  statements  agree  to  the  actual  condi- 
tion of  all  things,  and  its  holiness  shews  its  divinity.  The 
prophecies  of  tlie  state  of  the  Jews,  tlie  Christian  church, 
and  the  whole  world,  are  visibly  fulfilled  in  the  sight  of 
all  men. 

The  working  of  miracles  in  the  early  days  of  Chris- 
tianity was  the  special  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Our  Lord 
appeared  to  the  eleven  apostles  after  his  resurrection,  and 
after  commanding  them  to  preach  his  gospel,  pronounced, 
"  these  signs  shall  follow  them  that  believe  :  in  my  name 
shall  they  cast  out  devils,  they  shall  speak  with  new 
tongues,  they  shall  take  up  serpents,  and  if  they  drink  any 
deadly  thing  it  shall  not  hurt  them  ;  they  shall  lay  hands 
on  the  sick,  and  they  shall  recover."  The  apostles  very 
extensively,  as  we  find  in  the  Acts  and  the  Epistles,  con- 
ferred these  gifts,  but  there  is  no  statement  to  lead  us  to 
think  these  gfts  were  to  be  permanent ;  nor  do  we  find  in 
the  scriptures  that  the  power  of  working  miracles  was 
conferred  through  any  other  than  the  apostles.  These 
miracles  visibly  proved  that  the  Holy  Ghost  was  come 
according  to  our  Lord's  promise,  and  so  shewed  tliat  he 
was  the  Messiah,  and  that  his  sacrifice  was  accepted  :  they 
established  the  claim  of  the  apostles  to  be  the  true  messen- 
gers of  God,  and  divinely  testified  the  inspiration  of  their 
writings.  How  thankful,  then,  ought  we  to  be  for  these 
miraculous  powers,  and  how  very  distinct  are  they  from 
those  very  awful  delusions,  both  of  Popery  and  of  some 


150 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


professing  Protestants,  who  have  presumptuously  claimed, 
first,  apostolic  gifts,  and  then  apostolic  powers  !  But  let 
us  remember  that  there  is  "  a  more  excellent  way,"  which, 
never  fails — the  gift  of  love. 

Meditation. 

Seeing  that  the  gracious  Spirit  has  moved  holy  men  of 
God  to  write  the  sacred  scriptures,  surely  they  are  most 
worthy  of  my  deep  study,  and  constant  and  prayerful 
searching.  Seeing  that  they  are  confirmed  by  such  mighty 
miracles,  how  unspeakably  weighty  and  important  the 
truths  which  they  convey,  and  how  awful  the  guilt  and 
danger  of  neglecting  them  !  May  I  then  give  earnest 
heed  to  the  things  there  spoken,  lest  at  any  time  I  let  them 
slip. 

3.  THE  EXLIGHTENIXG  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 

At  the  creation,  when  the  Spirit  of  God  moved  upon  the 
face  of  the  waters,  the  first  effect  was,  God  said,  "  Let  there 
be  light,  and  there  was  light."  Thus  it  is  in  the  new  crea- 
tion of  the  soul ;  "  for  God,  who  commanded  the  light  to 
shine  out  of  darkness,  hath  shined  in  our  hearts,  to  give 
the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face 
of  Jesus  Christ."  Christ  is  "the  true  light,"  which,  coming 
into  the  world,  enlightens  every  man.  Christ  shews  in  the 
clearest  and  strongest  of  all  lights  God's  love  to  every  man, 
however  sinful,  at  the  very  time  that  the  evil  of  sin  is  also 
most  powerfully  manifested.  Thus  the  divine  character 
has  a  blaze  of  light  and  glory  thrown  around  it,  calculated 
to  attract  every  sinner's  heart,  or  leave  him  wholly  without 
excuse  if  he  neglect  so  great  a  salvation.  And  that  there 
might  be  no  possible  reason  but  the  wilful  love  of  sin  for 
this  neglect  ;  the  Holy  Spirit  is  promised  to  them  that  ask  ; 
to  discover  to  us  this  blessed  light  in  all  its  beauty  and 
purity.  "  Howbeit  when  he  the  Spirit  of  truth  is  come, 
he  will  guide  you  into  all  truth."    John  xvi.  13,  14. 

The  need  of  this  Divine  teaching  arises  from  that  dark- 


THE  WORK  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 


151 


ness  which  sin  has  spread  over  our  mind,  so  that  we  call 
good  evil,  and  evil  good.  We  think  Satan's  lies  are  the 
truth,  and  we  esteem  our  merciful  and  gracious  Creator, 
who  gives  us  holy  laws  for  our  happiness,  to  be  our  enemy 
and  not  our  friend.  In  the  expressive  words  of  scripture, 
men  walk  by  nature  "  in  the  vanity  of  their  minds,  having 
the  understanding  darkened,  being  alienated  from  the  life 
of  God  through  the  ignorance  that  is  in  them,  because  of 
the  blindness  (or  hardness)  of  their  heart." 

The  light  which  shines  in  the  incarnation,  life,  death, 
resurrection,  and  intercession  of  our  Redeemer,  fully  dis- 
covered to  us  by  the  teaching  of  the  Spirit,  dispels  all  this 
ignorance  of  God.  We  see  the  force  of  the  direction  :  "Ac- 
quaint thyself  witli  God,  and  be  at  peace  with  him."  He 
is  really  and  truly  love.  All  our  hard  thoughts  of  him 
are  vile  ingratitude,  and  inexcusable  blindness.  Tlie  gospel 
is  thus  sent  to  men  "  to  open  their  eyes,  and  to  turn  them 
from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  unto 
God,  that  they  may  receive  forgiveness  of  sins,  and  inhe- 
ritance among  them  that  are  sanctified  by  faith  which  is  in 
Jesus." 

God  has  revealed  his  grace,  that,  thereby  believing  his 
truth  and  loving-kindness  to  us  sinners,  our  ignorance  and 
our  unjust  hatred  of  him  may  be  removed.  Through  the 
gospel,  the  Holy  Ghost  wholly  subdues,  by  love  itself,  our 
rebellious  will,  and  brings  us  in  willing  and  joyful  obe- 
dience of  heart  to  that  state  of  mind  which  alone  can  make 
us  happy  in  God,  our  own  God,  for  ever  and  ever.  But  if 
we,  from  delight  in  sin,  trample  upon  and  despise  all  this 
love,  how  sore  and  dreadful  in  the  day  of  judgment  will  be 
our  punishment ! 

Christian  reader,  has  this  light  of  truth  shined  into  your 
heart  1  Can  you  say  of  God,  who  "  is  light,  and  in  whom 
is  no  darkness  at  all,  we  walk  in  the  light  as  he  is  in  the 
light,  and  we  have  fellowship  one  with  another  "  (having 
the  very  same  mind  and  will  as  God  himself),  "  and  the 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ  his  Son  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin  ?" 


152 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


Meditation. 

Oh  what  a  change  is  this  !  to  be  "  delivered  from  the 
power  of  darkness,  and  translated  into  the  kingdom  of 
God's  dear  Son  !  "  Surely,  if  this  great  light  has  been 
discovered  to  me,  I  should  "  shew  forth  the  praises  of  hira 
who  has  called  me  out- of  darkness  into  this  marvellous 
light."  How  miserable  is  every  human  creature,  whatever 
his  earthly  situation,  who  cannot  walk  in  the  light  of 
God's  love,  and  is  ignorant  what  the  mind  of  the  great 
Creator  is  towards  him  !  How  can  he  exercise  confidence, 
and  love,  and  joy  of  heart,  towards  his  God  1  The  Lord 
discover  to  me  and  all  men,  more  and  more  of  his  loving- 
kindness,  that  however  it  may  have  been  true  of  us,  "  ye 
were  sometimes  darkness,"  it  may  at  length  be  true,  "  but 
now  are  ye  light  in  the  Lord  ;"  and  may  we  "  walk  as  the 
children  of  light." 

4.  THE  SANCTIFICATION  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 

The  Holy  Ghost  is  the  source  of  that  "  holiness,  without 
which  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord."  The  scriptures  there- 
fore very  distinctly  mark  this  part  of  the  work  of  the 
Spirit,  and  it  is  of  unspeakable  importance  that  we  should 
understand  and  experience  this  in  our  own  souls. 

Our  Lord  thus  speaks  of  it :  "  When  he  is  come  he  will 
reprove  the  world  of  sin,  and  of  righteousness,  and  of  judg- 
ment." The  reproving  or  convincing  work  of  the  Spirit  is 
here  described  as  being  threefold. 

(].)  He  convinces  of  sin.  There  is  a  natural  con- 
science in  every  man  filling  him  with  alarm  in  the  com- 
mission of  great  and  manifest  sins  ;  but  the  love  and  habit 
of  sin  soon  deaden  this  voice  of  the  natural  conscience. 
Now  the  work  of  the  Spirit  not  only  leaves  an  abiding 
conviction  of  our  sinfulness,  but  leads  us  to  see  a  sin  which 
natural  conscience  discerns  not  ;  the  awful  sin  of  disbe- 
lieving God's  love  in  sending  his  Son  Jesus  to  die  for  us, 
and  thus  disregarding  the  highest  proof  of  love,  and  insult- 


THE  WORK  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 


153 


ing  God  by  rejecting  the  strongest  evidence  of  his  goodness 
to  us.  The  Spirit  shews  the  pride  of  lieart,  tlie  love  of  sin, 
and  the  mockery  of  God,  connected  with  unbelief,  and  so 
leads  us  to  self-loathing,  and  true  repentance,  and  turning 
to  God. 

(2.)  He  convinces  also  of  righteousness.  There  is 
none  righteous,  no,  not  one.  All  come  short  of  the  glory 
of  God,  The  Lord  Jesus  alone  fulfilled  the  law  in  every 
jot  and  tittle  ;  but  this  he  did  as  our  Head,  and  in  our 
nature  ;  and  now  God  sees,  through  Jesus,  a  perfect  righ- 
teousness in  my  nature.  He  accepted  his  obedience  in  our 
behalf,  as  was  proved  by  Christ's  going  to  the  Father,  and 
our  seeing  him  no  more  on  earth.  And  now  Christ  is  made 
of  God  unto  us  righteousness.  "  By  the  obedience  of  one 
shall  many  be  made  righteous."  The  Holy  Spirit  shews 
us,  in  the  word,  and  by  opening  our  understanding  to  un- 
derstand the  scriptures,  that  in  Christ  we  have  the  righ- 
teousness of  God  (2  Cor.  v.  21,)  without  the  law  (Rom.  iii.) 
through  faith  ;  thus  God  has  provided  for  all  our  great 
spiritual  necessities  in  Jesus,  and  we  are  complete  in  him. 
"  Surely  shall  one  say,  in  the  Lord  have  I  righteousness 
and  strength :  even  to  him  shall  men  come."  Standing 
accepted  in  Jesus  we  have  free  access  to  God  even  as  though 
we  had  not  sinned  ;  and  when  the  Holy  Spirit  convinces 
us  of  this,  we  are  filled  with  holy  confidence,  love,  and 
gratitude. 

(.3.)  He  convinces  of  judgment.  Satan's  fearful  title, 
verified  in  the  actual  state  of  our  fallen  race,  is,  the  Prince 
of  this  world.  Little  as  they  think  it,  our  tremendous 
enemy  works  in  all  the  children  of  disobedience,  leading 
them  captive  at  his  will.  But  his  judgment  is  determined 
and  is  rapidly  approaching  :  "  Now  is  the  judgment  of  this 
world  ;  now  shall  the  Prince  of  this  world  be  cast  out." 
John  xii.  31.  Our  Redeemer  has  undertaken  the  mighty 
work.  Innumerable  as  are  the  obstacles,  "  he  shall  bring 
forth  judgment  unto  truth.  He  shall  not  fail  nor  be  dis- 
couraged till  he  have  set  judgment  in  the  earth."  Isaiah 
xlii.  3,4.  The  Divine  Spirit,  who  shews  us  things  to  come. 


1.54 


CHRISTIAN  truth: 


shews  us  the  falling  empire  of  Satan  (Rev.  xii.  10,)  in  the 
midst  of  all  its  apparent  peaceable  possession  and  domi- 
nion ;  shews  us  the  righteousness  of  God  in  this  overthrow, 
and  enables  us  heartily  to  concur  in  the  mind  of  God,  and 
long  for  the  return  of  our  Redeemer  to  accomplish  his 
promises  in  that  righteous  judgment  which  he  will  execute 
at  his  second  coming,  on  Satan  and  his  followers.  Thus 
we  have  one  mind  with  God,  our  affections  are  set  on 
things  above,  and  we,  "  through  the  Spirit,"  are  waiting 
"  for  the  hope  of  righteousness  by  faith  "  (Gal.  v.  5),  and 
daily  -gaining  present  victories  by  faith  over  Satan  our 
enemy.    Ephes.  vi.  10. 

The  beginning  of  this  great  change  wrought  in  the  heart 
is  called  in  the  scriptures  being  "  born  again," — being 
"  born  of  the  Spirit."  John  iii.  Its  progress  is  called  "  the 
sanctification  of  the  Spirit  unto  obedience  and  sprinkling 
of  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ."  1  Peter  i.  2.  The  whole  of 
this  great  work  of  the  Sjiirit,  the  doctrine  of  free  salvation, 
by  which  he  accomplishes  it,  with  the  most  glorious  change 
and  transformation  it  effects  in  a  vile  sinner,  is  clearly 
stated  by  St.  Paul.    Titus  iii.  3—8. 

Another  material  part  of  sanctification  is  the  fruit  of 
THE  SPIRIT.  "  That  which  is  born  of  the  Spirit  is  spirit  " 
(John  iii.),  and  it  proves  its  divine  nature  by  all  that  is 
lovely,  holy,  and  excellent ;  "  love,  joy,  peace,  long-suffer- 
ing, gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temperance." 
As  we  see  these  things  produced  in  our  hearts  and  lives, 
and  we  love  others  in  deed  and  in  truth,  "  we  know  that 
we  are  of  the  truth,  and  sliall  assure  our  hearts  before 
him."  These  things  glorify  God,  adorn  the  gospel,  benefit 
our  fellow-men,  and  give  us  the  sweet  assurance  that  we 
have  really  received  the  Spirit  of  Christ  into  our  hearts. 

Meetness  for  heavenly  glory  is  the  last  part  of  the 
sanctifying  work  of  the  Spirit  which  I  would  notice.  Only 
those  who  on  earth  are  made  like  God  in  his  holy  charac- 
tei",  can  dwell  in  his  kingdom  of  light  and  glory  for  ever. 
The  great  object  of  the  glorious  gospel  is  to  accomplish 
this  ;  by  the  bright  display  it  gives  of  God  in  our  redemp- 


THE   WORK  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 


155 


tion  by  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  with  the  amazing  fact  of 
his  becoming  man  for  our  salvation,  liis  agonies,  death, 
resurrection,  ascension,  and  intercession.  Such  a  stamp  of 
evil  is  thus  put  upon  sin,  such  a  deep  engraving  of  God's 
love  to  man  is  wrought  in  the  very  nature  of  man,  such  an 
evidence  of  the  excellence  of  the  law  is  given,  such  a  mani- 
festation of  the  equity  of  punishment  and  wrath  is  dis- 
played, and  such  a  glory  is  seen  to  follow  present  suffer- 
ing, that  Christ,  Christ  only,  is  the  wisdom  of  God  for  our 
salvation.  This  is  God's  ordinance,  through  the  Spirit, 
for  changing  the  sinner's  heart.  The  things  of  Christ 
come  with  such  power  to  the  soul  that  we  see  vileness  and 
abomination  in  the  sins  we  once  loved,  and  loveliness  and 
glory  in  the  holiness  we  once  hated  ;  God  himself  in  his 
beauty  and  full  excellence  wins  by  holy  love  the  sinner's 
heart  to  himself.  The  true  knowledge  of  God,  as  given  to 
us  in  Christ  Jesus,  has  a  transforming  effect,  to  make  us 
like  God.  We  become  like  him  when  "  we  see  him  as 
he  is." 

Meditation. 

How  wonderful  is  the  love  of  God  in  the  provision  which 
he  has  made  for  my  salvation  !  Oh  was  it  not  enough 
that  he  gave  his  Son  to  be  incarnate — to  live,  to  die,  to  rise 
again,  and  to  intercede  for  nie  ;  but  does  he  not  also  pro- 
vide his  Spirit,  and  promise  him  to  me,  that  there  may  not 
only  be  deliverance  ifrom  my  guilt,  but  also  deliverance 
from  the  love,  the  pollution,  and  the  power  of  sin  1  What 
more  could  have  been  done  for  me  ?  Lord,  help  me  con- 
stantly, then,  in  fervent  prayer,  to  ask  for  and  seek  the 
sanctifying  energy  of  thine  own  Spirit,  to  make  me  meet 
for  thy  glory. 

5.  THE  COMFORT  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 

Much  of  the  life  of  a  Christian  is  in  giving  up  present 
advantages  of  this  world,  enduring  afflictions  for  the  sake 
of  Christ,  and  living  not  by  sight  but  by  faith.    He  has  to 


156  CHRTSTIAN  TRUTH  : 

oppose  the  great  current  of  the  world  in  confessing  an  ab- 
sent and  speedily-returning  Lord  ;  he  has  to  oppose  the 
corrupt  desires  of  his  own  fallen  nature  in  crucifying  the 
flesh  with  its  affections  and  lusts  ;  he  has  to  endure  many 
losses,  and  to  be  counted  a  fool  for  Christ's  sake.  If  he 
be,  as  he  is,  truly  righteous,  he  has  to  suffer  real  persecu- 
tion for  righteousness  ;  if  he  be,  as  lie  is,  sinful  and  guilty, 
he  suffers  just  chastisement  and  affliction  for  his  daily 
sins  and  iniquities,  that  he  may  not  be  condemned  with 
the  world. 

But  the  Lord  has  provided  for  the  present  support  and 
for  the  abundant  consolation  of  his  people,  the  gracious 
Comforter,  the  Holy  Ghost.  And  his  grace  is  so  sufficient 
that  that  most  suffering  Christian,  St.  Paul,  says,  "  I  take 
pleasure  in  infirmity,  that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest 
upon  me."  Oh  what  thanksgivings  do  our  worst  trials 
occasion,  by  shewing  us  more  of  the  loving-kindness  of 
God  !  How  St.  Paul  bursts  out  in  holy  gratitude  :  "  Blessed 
be  God,  even  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Fa- 
ther of  mercies  and  the  God  of  all  comfort,  who  comforteth 
us  in  all  our  tribulation."  2  Cor.  i.  4. 

All  other  comfort  comes  through  the  Holy  Ghost.  The 
Saviour  himself  was  anointed  for  his  office  by  the  Spirit  of 
the  Lord  God,  "  to  comfort  all  that  mourn."  All  his 
ministers,  as  well  as  Barnabas,  that  "  son  of  consolation," 
(Acts  iv.  36),  are  raised  up  to  comfort  the  people  of  the 
Lord :  and  he  is  so  intent  upon  this  that  he  thrice 
gives  them  this  direction  in  one  short  chai-ge.  Isaiah 
xl.  1,  2. 

But  what  is  the  peculiar  character  of  this  comfort  !  It 
is  not  to  remove  our  affliction,  but  to  give  us  joy  in  it  as  a 
pledge  of  coming  glory.  "  If  ye  be  reproached  for  the  name 
of  Christ,  happy  are  ye  ;  for  the  Spirit  of  glory  and  of  God 
resteth  upon  you."  1  Pet.  v.  14.  It  is  not  like  the  comfort 
the  world  gives  us,  making  us  well  pleased  with  ourselves, 
and  throwing  blame  upon  every  one  but  ourselves,  and  so 
fostering  our  pride  and  high-mindedness.  It  is  rather  by 
shewing  us  our  real  sinfulness  and  just  desert  of  all  wrath, 


THE  WORK  OF  THE  SPIKIT. 


157 


leading  us  to  confess  it,  and  thus  shewing  us,  not  only  the 
righteousness  of  God  in  our  affliction,  but  his  exceeding 
loving-kindness  in  giving  us  evil  things  now  that  we  may 
receive  good  things  hereafter.  Psalm  xciv.  12 — 15  ;  1  Cor, 
xi.  32.  Nor  does  the  Holy  Ghost  comfort  us  by  shewing 
that  we  shall  be  here  delivered  from  affliction  ;  he  comforts 
us  rather  by  shewing  the  privilege  of  suffering  here,  and 
making  us  happy  in  suffering.  (See  Matt.  v.  10 — 12.) 
"  Unto  you  it  is  given  in  the  behalf  of  Christ,  not  only  to 
believe  in  him,  but  also  to  suffer  for  his  sake."  Phil.  i.  29. 
"  Happy  is  the  man  whom  God  correcteth."  Job  i.  17. 

Yet  it  is  not  in  the  affliction  itself  that  we  can  be  happy  ; 
its  very  name  testifies  that  it  is  evil  and  grievous  ;  but  in 
its  blessed  effects  here  and  hereafter.  Hence  "  we  glory 
in  tribulation  also,  knowing  that  tribulation  worketh  pa- 
tience." Rom.  v.  3 — 5.  And  it  afterwards  "  worketh  the 
peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness  to  them  that  are  exercised 
thereby."  Heb.  xii.  11. 

And  then,  hereafter,  oh  what  tongue  can  express  the 
glories  connected  with  our  suffering  with  Christ  !  "  The 
sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  com- 
pared with  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us."  Rom. 
viii.  18.  "  Our  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  moment, 
worketh  out  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight 
of  glory."  2  Cor.  iv.  17. 

Contemplate  then.  Christian  reader,  the  day  of  judg- 
ment, which  is  the  day  of  thy  glory.  Our  Lord  himself 
endured  the  cross  by  contemplating  the  joy  set  before  him, 
and  we  must  do  the  same  if  we  would  endure  our  lighter 
cross.  How  near  are  we  to  that  great  day  which  will  dis- 
close for  ever  what  is  real  wisdom,  and  blessedness,  and 
glory;  and-stamp  for  ever  misery  and  folly,  and  madness 
on  the  ways  of  the  worldly  !  It  cannot  be  far  distant  ! 
All  the  accumulating  signs  of  the  times,  and  voices  of  the 
prophets,  witli  one  accord,  testify,  "  Behold  the  Bride- 
gi'oom  Cometh  !  "  How  awful  his  majesty  !  how  pure  his 
righteousness !  how  perfect  his  judgment  !  Have  you 
suffered  with  him  ?    Have  you  been  conformed  to  him  1 


158 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Are  you  like-minded  with  liiin  ?  Oh  what  glor^-  and 
blessedness  for  ever  in  his  presence  belong  now  to  you  ! 
Think  little  of  man's  judgment,  "  whose  breath  is  in  his 
nostrils  :"  think  every  thing  of  his  judgment  who  will  re- 
ward every  man  according  to  his  real  character  and  works. 
The  true  sight  of  these  things  and  our  real  preparedness 
for  this  day  is  the  only  solid  and  abiding  ground  of  com- 
fort. And  the  gospel  alone  furnishes  you  with  that  view 
of  God  which  gives  you  one  mind  with  him,  and  enables 
you  to  welcome  this  day  :  to  look  at  it  with  holy  joy  and 
confidence,  and  not  with  grief  and  dismay. 

May  I  so  experience  the  comfort  of  the  Spirit  as  that 
blessed  apostle  did,  who  could  appeal  to  his  converts  as  a 
matter  of  such  absolute  certaint^^ :  "  If  there  be  any  con- 
solation in  Christ,  if  any  comfort  of  love,  if  any  fellowship 
of  the  Spirit,  if  any  bowels  of  mercies,"  as  to  make  these 
self-evident  truths  the  very  ground  of  his  exhortation  to 
holy  love  and  union.  Lord  and  Father,  give  me  those 
consolations  in  Christ,  which  will  make  me  bold  in  thy 
cause  and  service,  and  bear  me  above  every  trial  for  thee. 

G.  THE  FREEDOM  WITH  WHICH  GOD  GIVES  HIS  SPIRIT. 

The  work  of  tlie  Spirit  being  so  inestimably  precious, 
it  is  a  cause  of  great  joy  that  his  Holy  Spirit  is  freely  and 
absolutely  promised,  without  exception,  to  all  that  ask. 

It  is  compared  to  the  rain  of  heaven,  freely  descending 
from  God's  bounty  and  love  in  copious  and  abundant 
supplies,  to  meet  every  want  without  our  having  done  any 
thing  to  merit  it  :  "I  will  pour  water  upon  him  that  is 
thirsty,  and  floods  upon  the  dry  ground  ;  I  will  pour  my 
Spirit  upon  thy  seed,  and  my  blessing  upon  thine  off- 
spring.' Isaiah  xlvi.  3.  "  Thou,  0  God,  didst  send  a 
plentiful  rain,  whereby  thou  didst  confirm  thine  inheri- 
tance when  it  was  wear}'."  Psalm  Ixviii.  9.  See  also  Ezek. 
xxxiv.  36,  and  Acts  ii.  17. 

As  nothing  is  more  infinitely  necessary  to  us  than  the 
Spirit,  so  no  promise  in  the  Bible  is  more  full  and  clear 


THE  WORK  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 


159 


than  that  peculiarly  precious  of  the  precious  promises  : 
"  If  ye,  then,  being  evil,  know  how  to  give  good  gifts  unto 
your  children,  how  much  more  shall  your  heavenly  Father 
give  the  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  him  ;"  and  the  very 
change  in  the  form  of  expression  is  most  encouraging.  It 
is  not,  give  the  Holy  Spirit  to  his  children,  but  give  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ash  him  ;  and  thus  a  promise 
that  is  especially  valuable  to  us,  is  given  to  us  in  the  most 
general  expressions  that  our  hearts  could  desire.  And  to 
this  is  joined  an  appeal  to  those  paternal  feelings  which 
have  such  strength  in  every  father's  heart,  with  yet  an  in- 
crease of  power  of  expression  and  thought  in  the  statement 
of  our  "  being  evil,"  while  our  heavenly  Father  is  only 
and  altogether  good,  and  the  farther  statement,  "  how 
much  more  "  shall  he  do  this  for  us. 

Indeed,  how  can  we  doubt  this,  when  we  know  that  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  took  our  nature  upon  him,  and  in  all 
things  fulfilled  the  requirements  of  the  law,  and  endured 
the  penalties  of  transgression  tha't  he  might  receive  the 
Spirit  for  us  1 — and  that  now  being  our  head  and  repre- 
sentative, and  having  ascended  unto  his  Father,  he  has 
"  received  gifts  for  the  rebellious,  that  the  Lord  God  might 
dwell  among  them  ?" 

The  single  limitation  is  the  direction,  Ask.  "  Ask  and 
it  shall  be  given  you,  seek  and  ye  shall  find,  knock  and  it 
shall  be  opened  unto  j'ou."  So  in  the  promises  of  the 
Spirit,  and  all  the  blessings  of  the  new  covenant  to  the 
Jews,  there  is  the  like  limitation,  "  I  will  yet  for  this  be 
inquired  of  by  the  house  of  Israel  to  do  it  for  them."  O 
blessed  limitation  of  tender  love,  by  which  our  heavenly 
Father  shews  us  that  he  loves  us,  so  that  he  will  not  be 
content  with  us  at  a  distance,  but  that  he  will  have  us  in 
his  presence,  and  the  enjoyment  of  coniiimnion  with  him  ! 
0  blessed  limitation,  or  rather  unspeakable  privilege,  that 
he  should  thus  so  encourage  us  to  call  upon  him  for  what 
we  need,  as  to  invite  us  near  to  him,  open  his  arms  wide 
for  us,  and  by  holding  out  rich  gifts  attract  and  win  us 
back  from  our  horrible  distance,  enmity  and  rebellion 


160 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


against  him,  who  is  the  Father  of  lights  and  the  God  of 
love  and  peace  ! 

What  then  remains  for  us,  Christian  reader,  but  with 
full  confidence  in  his  promises  to  go  to  him  from  day  to 
day,  and  wait  upon  him  continually  for  this  precious  gift  ! 
Waiting  in  daily  prayer  is  the  sure  means  of  gaining  the 
indwelling  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Observe  that  plain  direc- 
tion :  "  AVait  on  the  Lord,  be  of  good  courage,  and  he  shall 
strengthen  tliine  heart  ;  wait,  I  say,  on  the  Lord."  Psalm 
xxvii.  14.  Waiting  is  the  posture  of  faith  and  hope, 
(Rom.  viii.  24,  25.)  fully  expecting  the  answer  of  prayer, 
though  it  be  long  delayed  :  "  though  it  tarry,  wait  for  it, 
it  will  surely  come  ;  it  will  not  tarry." 

And  when  we  consider  that  our  Christian  life  is  "  wait- 
ing for  the  coming  of  the  Lord  "  (1  Cor,  i.  7.)  our  great 
reward  in  his  glory  at  his  coming  is  not  given  until  he 
personally  return  and  raise  his  dead  saints  ;  we  need  not 
be  surprised  if,  to  humble  usj  to  shew  us  the  value  of  the 
blessing  we  seek,  and  to  make  it  more  precious  when  it  is 
given,  that  we  have  perhaps  for  a  lengthened  season  to  wait 
for  the  Holy  Spirit.  Only  be  assured  of  the  faithfulness 
of  that  word  which  the  Lord  has  spoken  :  "  They  shall 
not  be  ashamed  that  wait  for  me."  Isaiah  xlix.  23.  "  Who- 
soever shall  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord  shall  be  saved." 
Rom.  X.  13. 

Think,  too,  of  the  glorious  inheritance  of  which  the 
"  Holy  Spirit  of  promise"  is  the  "  seal"  and  "earnest." 
We  are  "  heirs  of  God,  and  joint  heirs  with  Christ ; " 
nothing  less  than  God  himself  is  our  portion.  We  are  to 
have  his  pure  and  holy,  his  merciful  and  perfect  mind  ;  to 
be  like  him,  and  one  with  him.  God  is  our  vast  inherit- 
ance, God  in  all  his  fulness,  riches,  and  glory,  our  own 
God  for  ever  and  ever.  Surely,  then,  if  for  earthly  good, 
men  have  to  toil  and  labour,  wait  and  hope,  well  maj'  we 
wait  and  "labour  for  that  meat"  which  "  endureth  to 
everlasting  life,  which  the  Son  of  Man  shall  give  unto  us." 

2Ieditation. 

Freely  thou  promisest,  0  our  Father,  and  most  certain 


THE  WORK  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 


161 


is  thy  word  ;  away  then  with  all  unbelieving  fears  ;  away 
with  all  carelessness  and  indifference.  I  may  gain  this 
most  precious  gift.  I  may  have  the  Holy  Ghost  to  dwell 
in  me.  Oh  let  ine  seek  with  confidence,  but  seek  with  a 
diligence,  and  knock  with  an  earnestness,  in  some  pro- 
portion to  the  magnitude  and  inestimable  value  of  the 
blessing. 

7.  THANKSGIVINGS  DUE  FOR  THE  SPIRIT. 

You  may  observe  in  the  scriptures  how  grateful  the 
servants  of  Christ  have  been  for  this  inestimable  gift. 
When  the  Holy  Spirit  was  first  poured  out,  '■  praising 
God  "  was  the  leading  character  of  the  whole  church.  We 
are  "  called  out  of  darkness"  into  tliis  "  marvellous  light," 
that  we  should  "  shew  forth  his  praises." 

The  apostles  begin  several  of  their  epistles  with  praise 
for  this  grace  :  thus  St.  Paul  tells  the  Corinthians,  "  I 
thank  my  God  always  on  your  behalf,"  for  "  the  grace  of 
God  which  is  given  you  by  Christ  Jesus."  1  Cor.  i.  4. 
He  opens  that  to  the  Ephesians  with  a  burst  of  holy 
gratitude  :  "  Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  blessed  us  with  all  spiritual  bless- 
ings in  heavenly  things  in  Christ  Jesus.  St.  Peter  does 
the  same  in  his  first  epistle,  (i.  1 — 5.)  St.  Paul,  when 
considering  the  grace  of  God  bestowed  on  the  Corinthians, 
exclaims  with  holy  rapture,  "  Thanks  be  unto  God  for  his 
unspeakable  gift." 

And  indeed  what  can  be  more  wonderful  than  that  the 
Holy  Spirit  should  make  our  bodies  the  temples  in  which 
he  dwells,  should  help  our  infirmities,  make  intercession 
for  us,  and  give  us  the  privilege  of  "  praying  in  the  Holy 
Ghost."  Why  have  we  not  more  gratitude  for  this  pre- 
cious gift  ?  Because  of  our  unbelief.  We  realize  not  the 
truth  of  God's  promises  ;  we  ask  not,  therefore,  for  them 
in  faith,  but  with  a  doubtful  mind,  not  regarding  the  warn- 
ing :  "  Let  him  ask  in  faith,  nothing  wavering.  For  he 
that  wavereth  is  like  a  wave  of  the  sea,  driven  with  the 


162 


CHRISTIAX  TRUTH 


wind  and  tossed.  But  let  not  that  man  think  that  he  shall 
receive  any  thing  of  the  Lord." 

Nor  are  we  duly  sensible  of  the  blessing  of  those  gifts  of 
the  Spirit  which  are  already  b.estowed  on  us.  We  all  have 
the  day  of  grace  shining  upon  us  ;  and  the  holy  scriptures, 
the  very  writing  of  the  Spirit,  continually  set  before  us. 
We  have  already  received  in  Jesus  our  Head  the  fulness  of 
the  Spirit  for  our  use,  and  the  promise  of  the  Spirit  to  us 
personally,  on  our  asking  for  it.  What  songs  of  praise 
these  things  demand  !  Thank  God  for  what  you  have. 
"  Unto  him  that  hath  shall  more  be  given." 

See,  too,  if  you  cannot  trace  many  workings  of  the  Spirit 
through  the  voice  of  conscience  in  your  past  life.  How 
often  have  evil  thoughts  been  condemned  by  this  voice,  and 
you  have  been  kept  from  evil  ways  when  you  would  will- 
ingly have  entered  into  them  if  left  to  yjurself !  How 
often  have  good  thoughts  come  unexpectedly  into  your 
minds  with  power  and  energy,  and  though  you  have  not 
cherished  them,  yet  has  the  Holy  Spirit  striven  with  you 
thus  again  and  again !  Learn  to  be  thankful  for  these 
beginnings  of  good  in  your  heart.  Like  a  little  light,  at  a 
great  distance,  in  a  dark  night,  let  it  lead  you  onward. 
"  Then  sliall  we  know  if  we  follow  on  to  know  the  Lord." 

And  Christians,  dear  fellow-Christians,  have  we  not 
found  the  word  of  God  most  sweet  and  precious  to  us,  full 
of  holy  light,  full  of  tender  love,  coming  with  constraining 
efficacy  to  our  hearts,  "  not  in  word  only,  but  also  in  power, 
and  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance  ?  Oh  let 
us  be  very  tliankful  for  that  life,  and  unction,  and  sweet- 
ness, the  Holy  Ghost  has  thus  given  us  in  the  word  of 
truth  !  Have  we  not  had  many  refreshing  seasons  of  pri- 
vate prayer,  when  with  streaming  eyes  we  confessed  our 
sinfulness,  so  aggravated  by  God's  love  ;  and,  when  melted 
by  full  confidence  in  his  fatherly  heart  and  tender  com- 
passion, have  we  not  with  fervency  of  spirit  sought  his 
grace,  tliat  we  might  be  wholly  and  for  ever  his  hereafter'? 
This  we  owe  to  his  Spirit ;  for  this  too  we  should  give 
thanks  :  what  have  we  that  we  have  not  received  ? 


THE  WORK  OF  THE  SPIRIT. 


1G8 


And  if  we  have  been  strengthened  against  our  natural 
corrujUion  for  any  painful  and  self-denying  duty  ;  reprov- 
ing sin,  going  contrary  to  the  course  of  this  world,  ci'ossing 
our  previous  inclination,  and  sacrificing  our  worldly  in- 
terests, here  is  fresli  cause  of  praise  and  gratitude  to  him 
who  has  strengthened  us  with  might,  hy  his  Spint  in  tlie 
inner  man. 

And  if,  after  all  our  rebellions,  all  our  backslidings,  all 
our  grievous  falls,  and  the  dishonour  we  have  put  on  his 
name  by  our  inconsistencies,  we  are  still  in  the  way  to 
Zion,  with  our  faces  heavenward  ;  more  humbled,  but  mcn-e 
decided — more  sensible  of  sin,  but  more  firm  for  God — oh, 
to  what  can  we  attribute  it,  but  that  God  has  upheld  us  by 
l)is  free  Spirit  !  Let  us,  then,  give  all  thanks  to  his  great 
and  glorious  name.   Let  us  glory  in  the  Lord  alone. 

And  if  lie  has  given  us  his  Spirit  so  far,  what  joyful  hope 
should  it  excite  for  the  time  to  come  !  "  Being  confident 
of  this  very  thing,  that  he  wliicli  hath  begun  a  good  work 
in  you  will  perform  it  unto  the  day  of  Christ."  What 
exulting  hopes  should  this  seal  and  earnest  of  the  Spirit 
raise  within  us  !  "  The  Spirit  itself  heareth  witness  with 
our  spirits  that  we  are  the  children  of  God."  The  work  of 
the  Spirit  is  the  very  heginning  of  the  glor3'  to  come.  All 
our  aspirations  after  God,  our  desires  of  conformity  to  him, 
our  concurrence  in  his  plans,  our  oneness  of  mind  with 
him,  wliat  is  it  but  the  very  seed  of  a  future  tree  of  glory, 
which,  however  it  may  be  buried  and  die  here,  M'ill  rise, 
and  grow,  and  spread  with  everlasting  beauty  and  majesty 
in  the  coming  kingdom  of  Christ,  at  the  resurrection  of  the 
saints,  on  the  speedy  return  of  our  Redeemer  ! 

THANKSGIVING  TO  OOD. 

Glory  be  to  thee,"0  heavenly  Father,  for  all  those  ines- 
timable blessings  which  I  have  received  through  thine  own 
Spirit. 

Tliou  hast  taught  me  to  see,  in  the  works  of  creation, 
and  in  every  living  being,  the  power  of  thy  Spirit  ;  thou 
sendest  forth  thy  Spirit,  and  they  are  created.  I  will  sing, 

M  2 


1R4 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


then,  unto  the  Lord  as  long  as  I  live  ;  I  will  sing  praises 
unto  my  God,  while  I  have  my  being. 

I  magnify  thee  for  that  love  of  the  Spirit  which  raised 
up  holy  patriarchs  and  prophets,  apostles  and  evangelists, 
and  gave  them  the  word  of  inspiration  to  be  a  light  to  our 
feet,  and  a  lamp  to  our  paths. 

I  thank  thee,  0  Holy  Gliost,  for  all  those  mighty  works 
which  they  wrought,  that  we  might  be  sure  that  it  is  thy 
word  which  they  liave  delivered  to  us. 

More  especially  to  thee,  0  Holy  Ghost,  be  all  praise  for 
that  wondrous  love  to  which  we  owe  the  incarnation  of 
our  Divine  Redeemer,  and  his  being  anointed  with  thy 
grace  without  measure  to  work  miracles,  and  to  offer  him- 
self without  spot  to  God,  and  that  he  was  declared  the  Son 
of  God  with  power,  by  the  resurrection  from  the  dead. 
And  thanks,  unutterable  thanks,  be  unto  thee,  that  thus 
Jesus  became  the  Mediator  to  convey  to  us  sinners  the  un- 
searchable riches  of  Divine  grace. 

Thou  hast  opened  my  eyes  to  see  this  thy  love,  and  my 
own  great  blindness,  and  hardness  of  heart,  and  perverse- 
ness,  in  slighting  and  rebelling  against  so  much  love.  O 
more  and  more  come  into  my  heart  !  shed  abroad  there 
the  love  of  God  ;  humble  me  more  ;  fill  me  with  the  sense 
of  the  loving-kindness  of  God  our  Saviour  towards  me  ; 
that  I  may,  with  full  purpose  of  heart,  cleave  to  him,  and  , 
live  wholly  to  the  praise  of  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 
three  persons  in  one  God,  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen. 


CHRIST,  OUR  LIFE. 


165 


CHAPTER  IX. 

CHRIST,  OUR  LIFE. 

1.  The  actual  Condition  of  Men— 2.  Our  Recovery  in  Christ— 3.  The  Life 
which  we  have  in  Christ— 4.  The  Receiving  of  Christ — 5.  The  Risen  Life  on 
Earth — 6.  The  Power  by  which  this  Life  is  sustained. 

1.  THE  ACTUAL  CONDITION  OF  MEN  IN  GENERAL. 

There  is  a  life  peculiar  to  the  genuine  Christian  ;  and 
unspeakably  important  for  our  present  and  final  happiness 
it  is  that  we  should  know  what  this  life  is,  and  enter  into 
its  reality  and  blessedness,  in  our  own  actual  enjoyment  of 
it.  "  He  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life  ;  and  he  that  hath 
not  the  Son  hath  not  life  ;  "  such  is  the  scripture  testimony. 
To  guide  and  assist  you  in  attaining  this  life  will  be  the 
object  of  several  successive  chapters,  beginning  witli  Christ, 
our  life. 

We  will  first  give  an  account  of  our  loss  of  this  life. 
Let  us  notice  the  actual  facts  now  existing  in  the  sight  of 
every  one.  Sin  is  the  defect  of  perfect  obedience  to  God's 
will ;  and  all  mankind  are,  without  exception,  thus  sinful 
with  respect  to  their  Creator.  This  is  not  confined  to  any 
particular  class  of  men,  or  to  any  particular  nation.  All 
have  done  what,  in  their  natural  conscience,  however  little 
that  may  have  been  enlightened  by  tlie  knowledge  of  his 
will,  they  knew  to  be  wrong  before  God.  We  appeal  to 
every  conscience  in  proof  of  this.  There  is  an  universal 
tendency  to  sin  ;  the  cause  must  be  general  which  produces 
so  general  an  effect.    The  nature  of  a  thing  must  be  judged 


166 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


by  its  effects — universal  sinfulness  proves  man's  universal 
tendency  to  sin.  All  have  sinned  from  their  early  youth, 
continually,  and  progressively.  As  soon  as  a  child  begins 
to  act,  he  begins  to  sin,  and  if  left  to  his  natural  disposition 
without  restraint,  goes  on  in  sin.  We  find  the  same  evil 
tendency  through  all  the  periods  of  life.  As  we  know  that 
a  river  steadily  proceeding,  and  growing  stronger  and 
deeper  as  it  flows,  must  have  springs  by  which  it  is  fed,  so 
are  we  sure  that  a  constant  and  growing  tendency  in  man 
must  have  original  sources  of  evil.  The  fact  that  all  men 
sin  in  spite  of  the  clearest  convictions  of  reason,  proves  the 
same  truth.  See  the  idolatry  of  so  many  millions  of  our 
race.  See  the  natural  carelessness  of  every  mind,  even  in 
Christian  lands,  to  spiritual  things.  See  their  dislike  to 
communion  with  God,  and  their  alienation  of  mind  from 
him. 

Look  again  at  this  stream  of  sin  swelling  over  every 
boundar}''  and  clieck  with  which,  in  the  providence  of  God, 
it  has  been  met.  The  deluge,  the  destruction  of  Sodom 
and  Gomorrah,  the  separation  of  the  Jews  for  God  with 
astonishing  miracles ;  their  captivity,  their  deliverance, 
the  gift  of  God's  only  Son  to  die  for  sin,  the  gifts  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  the  fulness  of  God's  word,  the  taking  of  a 
people  out  of  the  Gentiles,  the  mercies  of  the  Reformation, 
all  these  varied  dispensations  of  judgment  and  mercy  have 
not  for  any  lengthened  period  proved  efficacious  to  stop  the 
flood  of  sin.  The  servants  that  God  has  raised  up  from 
time  to  time,  with  eminent  faith  and  toil  and  boldness  have 
laboured,  and  yet  sin  covers  the  world.  If  after  all  labour, 
the  soil  still  brings  forth  briars  and  thistles,  we  may  say 
that  it  is  radically  bad.    Man  is,  then,  radically'  corrupt. 

And  this  corruption  is  total.  When  our  Saviour  enu- 
merates what  comes  out  of  the  heart,  he  mentions  not  one 
good  thing.  ^Matt.  sv.  He  says  '•'  that  which  is  born  of 
the  flesh  is  flesh,"  and  we  know  the  flesh  is  quite  opposed 
.to  the  Spirit  (Gal.  v.  17),  which  is  the  source  of  all  that  is 
good.  The  mending  of  the  flesh  is  impossible.  We  must 
"  put  off  the  old  man,  and  put  on  the  new  man."  The 


CHRIST,  OUR  LIFE.  167 

expressions  in  Rom.  iii.  9 — 18,  are  such  as  to  shew  tiiat 
there  is  no  good  in  man  by  nature,  but  that  he  is  full  of  all 
uncleanness  and  sinfulness. 

Whence,  then,  has  arisen  all  this  evil  ?  The  Bible  is 
the  only  book  that  shews  both  its  origin  and  its  perfect 
remedy.  Sin  came  into  our  world  by  the  fall  of  our  first 
parents,  Adam  and  Eve.  Placed  in  the  garden  of  Eden, 
surrounded  by  every  good  ;  the  command  was  given  him 
by  his  all-bountiful,  wise,  and  holy  Creator,  "  Of  every 
tree  of  the  garden  thou  niayest  freely  eat,  but  of  the  tree 
of  the  knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  thou  shalt  not  eat  of  it  ; 
for  in  the  day  that  thou  eatest  thereof  thou  shalt  surely  die." 

Satan,  the  Devil,  a  fallen  Spirit,  who  had  himself  re- 
belled against  God,  full  of  enmity  to  him,  and  to  man  as 
created  by  him,  took  the  form  of  a  serpent,  and  threw 
doubts  of  God's  words  before  the  mind  of  Eve.  She  be- 
lieved the  Devil  before  God,  and  broke  his  plain  command  ; 
Adam  yielded  to  the  temptation  with  her,  and  thus  both 
fell  under  the  righteous  condemnation  of  the  Holy  God, 
lost  their  happy  abode  in  paradise,  and  became  parents  of 
children  born,  not  in  the  image  and  likeness  of  God,  but 
"  in  their  own  likeness,  and  after  their  own  image." 
"  Who  can  bring  a  clean  thing  out  of  an  unclean  ?  "  The 
streams  cannot  rise  higher  than  their  spring  and  origin. 

The  effect  of  this  was,  that  as  men  multiplied  on  the  face 
of  the  earth,  they  became  exceedingly  wicked.  "  God  saw 
tiiat  the  wickedness  of  man  was  great  on  the  earth,  and 
that  every  imagination  of  tiie  thoughts  of  his  heart  was 
only  evil  continually."  He  sent  in  consequence  the  awful 
judgment  of  the  deluge,  to  be  a  lasting  memorial  of  his 
fearful  displeasure  against  sin  and  a  world  of  sinners. 
iXoah  was  preserved  in  the  ark  from  this  destruction,  and 
I'U  going  out  from  the  ark  offered  burnt-offerings.  Tlie 
Lord  regarded  the  sacrifice  of  Noah,  which  pointed  out  the 
sacrifice  of  our  great  Redeemer,  and  promised  that  the  pur- 
])oses  of  his  grace  should  triumph  over  man's  sinfulness. 
"  The  Lord  smelled  a  sweet  savour,  and  the  Lord  said  in 
his  heart,  I  will  not  again  curse  the  ground  any  more  for 


1G8 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


man's  sake,  for  the  imagination  of  man's  heart  is  evil 
from  his  youth." 

Here  is  our  state  then  :  born  in  sin,  evil  from  our  youth  ; 
our  hearts  "  deceitful  above  all  things,  and  desperately 
wicked,"  yet  under  apian  of  grace,  forbearance,  and  long- 
suffering,  by  which  the  Lord  would  recover  us  from  this 
fallen  state,  deliver  us  from  his  righteous  curse  on  sin,  and 
bring  us  to  the  knowledge  and  enjoyment  of  his  presence 
and  blessedness. 

The  state  in  which  we  are,  naturally,  is  called  by  the 
scriptures,  being  "  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins."  It  is,  in- 
deed, a  most  awful  state  ;  one  in  which  the  soul  is  as  dead 
to  spiritual  truths,  to  holy  and  heavenly  things,  as  a  dead 
corpse  is  to  sensible  things.  No  real  love  to  God,  no  delight 
in  his  holy  and  righteous  character,  no  communion  with 
him  as  revealed  to  us  in  his  word,  no  happiness  in  calling 
upon  his  name  ;  no  regard  to  his  glory,  no  submission  of 
heart  to  all  his  ways. 

But  in  the  place  of  all  real  holiness  and  happiness,  men 
are  under  the  tyrannous  bondage  of  sin  and  Satan. 

The  creature  of  God  is  living  regardless  of  the  will  and 
glory  of  his  Creator,  and  spending  every  power  and  gift 
imparted  to  him  in  direct  acts  of  rebellion  against  him. 
He  is  setting  up,  in  the  pride  of  his  heart,  his  own  will,  and 
wisdom,  and  lust,  against  the  good  pleasure,  the  infinite 
wisdom,  and  the  perfect  will  of  that  holy  and  almighty  and 
gracious  Being  by  whom  he  was  formed,  and  is  daily  sus- 
tained, and  will  be  shortly  judged. 

Yet  the  Lord  forbears  for  a  season  to  cut  him  off  in  the 
midst  of  his  rebellion  ;  and  this  in  infinite  goodness,  that  he 
may  have  a  season  of  grace,  for  repentance  and  turning  to 
God.  He  is  therefore  "  a  prisoner  of  hope,"  and  under  a 
dispensation  of  grace. 

Under  this  forbearance  and  loving-kindness  of  God,  men 
are  now  living.  The  great  mass  of  mankind  are  disregard- 
ing all  this  goodness,  and  thinking,  because  God  forbears  at 
present  to  punish,  that  they  shall  for  ever  escape  his  righ- 
teous judgment.    Rom.  ii.  1 — 5. 


CHRIST,  OUR  LIFE. 


169 


Meditation. 

I  feel  in  myself  the  truth  of  the  divine  testimony.  My 
own  heart  confirms  it.  How  full  is  it  of  all  evil  thoughts  ! 
How  hard  do  I  find  it  to  raise  my  mind  to  God,  and  to 
keep  my  heart  with  him  !  How  naturally  and  easily  all 
worldly  things  occupy  my  mind  ;  but  with  what  difficulty 
and  constraint  are  spiritual  and  heavenly  thoughts  main- 
tained !  0  Lord,  in  mercy  look  upon  me,  and  visit  me 
with  thy  salvation ! 

2.  OUR  RECOVERY  OF  SPIRITUAL  LIFE  IN  CHRIST. 

We  here  enter  upon  the  deepest  of  all  mysteries.  The 
nature  of  our  redemption  has  indeed  been  already  ex- 
plained, but  the  immediate  connection  of  that  with  tlie 
Christian  life  remains  to  be  unfolded,  "  and  great  is  the 
mystery  of  godliness  ;  God  was  manifest  in  the  flesh, 
justified  in  the  Spirit,  seen  of  angels,  preached  unto  the 
Gentiles,  believed  on  in  the  world,  received  up  into 
glory." 

The  Bible  is,  throughout,  the  record  of  this  mystery. 
In  the  commencing  promise,  through  the  curse  on  the 
serpent,  "  I  will  put  enmity  between  thee  and  the  woman, 
and  between  thy  seed  and  her  seed,  it  shall  bruise  thy  head 
and  thou  shalt  bruise  his  heel,"  we  have  the  bright  light 
of  our  recovery  first  dawning  on  our  world,  which  shines 
more  and  more,  till  the  completed  glory  of  the  last  chap- 
ters of  Revelation,  when  "  there  shall  be  no  more  curse, 
but  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb  shall  be  in  the 
heavenly  city,  and  his  servants  sliall  serve  him,  and  they 
shall  see  his  face,  and  his  name  shall  be  in  their  foreheads." 

The  way  in  which  it  pleased  God  to  effect  this  is  full  of 
heavenly  wisdom  and  holy  love.  In  the  beginning  was 
the  Word,  and  the  Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Word 
was  God."  The  Word  was  "  the  only-begotten  of  the  Fa- 
ther ; "  his  well-beloved  and  co-equal  Son :  one  who 
"  thought  it  not  robbery  to  be  equal  with  God,"  for  he  was 


170 


CHRISTIAN  TKCTH  : 


God.  Let  us  see  the  reality  and  glory  of  his  Divine  nature 
or  Godhead  ;  for  this  is  all  essential  to  shew  us  the  true 
value  of  our  recovery,  and  to  give  real  efficacy  to  it. 

The  astonishing  grace  of  his  humiliation  can  never  he 
fully  told  :  though  his  people  have  some  knowledge,  it  yet 
"passeth  knowledge."  We  are  told,  that  though  he  was  "in 
the  form  of  God,"  having  all  the  majesty  and  glory  of  the 
Godhead,  "  he  made  himself  of  no  reputation  ;"  he  divested 
himself  of  all  that  glory,  and  became  a  weak  and  suffering 
man  like  us.  "  Ye  know  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  that  though  he  was  rich,  yet  for  your  sakes  he  be- 
came poor,  that  ye  through  his  poverty  might  be  made 
rich." 

0  wonderful  act  of  condescension  and  love,  never  to  be 
spoken  of  without  admiration  and  exulting  gratitude  ! 
How  little  do  we  know  of  our  God  when  we  are  alienated 
from  him  who  thus  visited  us  in  our  low  estate  !  The 
person  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  full  of  unfathomable 
wisdom  and  myster}',  adapted  in  every  waj'  for  God's  glory 
and  man's  salvation  and  highest  honour.  Hooker  observes, 
"  God  in  Christ  is  generally  the  medicine  which  doth  cure 
the  world,  and  Christ  in  us  is  the  receipt  of  that  same 
medicine  whereby  we  are  every  one  particularly  cured."* 

*  The  following  statement  of  Hooker  respecting  thie  person  of  Christ,  and 
the  vailed  erroneous  opinions  upon  it,  is  so  clear  and  comprehensive  that  I 
subjoin  it. 

"  There  are  but  four  things  which  concur  to  make  complete  the  whole 
state  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ — his  Deity  ;  his  manhood  ;  the  conjunction  of 
both,  and  the  distinction  of  the  one  from  the  other,  being  joined  in  one. 
Four  principal  heresies  there  are  which  have  in  these  things  withstood  the 
truth, — Arians  by  bending  themselves  against  the  Deity  of  Christ  ;  Apollina- 
rians  by  maiming  and  misinterpreting  that  which  belongeth  to  his  human 
nature  :  Nestorians  by  rending  Christ  asunder  and  dividing  him  into  two 
persons ;  the  followers  of  Eutyches  by  confounding  in  his  person  those  natures 
■which  they  should  distinguish.  Against  these  there  have  been  four  most 
ancient  General  Councils, — the  Council  of  Nice  to  define  against  Arians  ; 
against  Apollinarians  the  Council  of  Constantinople  ;  the  Council  of  Ephesus 
against  Nestorians ;  against  Eutychians  the  Chalcedon  Council.  In  four  words, 
a\r}6ws,  TeXfCos,  aSiaiperas,  aavyxv''^^)  trul>>,  perfectb/,  indirisibb/, 
dint'mctlv — the  first  applied  to  his  being  God,  and  the  second  to  his  being 
man,  the  third  to  his  being:  of  both  one,  and  the  fourth  to  his  still  continuing 
in  that  one  both — we  may  fully,  by  way  of  abridgment,  comprise  whatsoever 
antiquity  hath  at  large  handled,  either  in  declaration  of  Christian  belief  or 
in  refutation  of  the  aforesaid  heresies.  Within  the  compass  of  which  four 
heads  I  may  truly  affirm  that  all  heresies  which  touch  but  the  person  of  Jesus 


CHRIST,  OUR  LIFE. 


171 


His  life,  too,  mauifested  throanhout  the  same  grace  as 
liis  incarnation.  He  fulfilled  all  righteousness,  he  became 
obedient  to  the  law  in  every  jot  and  in  every  tittle.  In  a 
world  of  sinners  he,  through  the  eternal  Spirit,  gave  what 
no  being  in  the  human  form  had  ever  before  given — a 
pattern  of  victory  over  all  temptations,  sinless  obedience 
to  all  God's  holy  laws,  and  perfect  confidence,  amidst  all 
sufferings,  in  the  righteous  and  holy  will  of  his  heavenly 
Father.  With  this  he  underwent  the  sufferings  which  our 
fallen  nature  had  merited  ;  the  curse  of  the  law  which  we 
had  broken  fell  on  him  ;  the  death  which  our  sins  had 
justly  incurred  was  inflicted  on  him  ;  in  the  grave,  to 
which  we  were  justly  sentenced,  his  body  was  laid  ;  the 
place  of  departed  spirits,  to  which,  through  sin,  all  the 
spirits  of  men  were  consigned  after  death,  he  entered. 

Thus  having,  in  our  nature,  shewn  forth  a  perfect  ex- 
ample of  entire  conformity  to  the  will  of  God,  and  the 
possibility  of  man  through  the  Spirit  obeying  that  will ; 
having  endured  in  our  nature  the  righteous  wrath  of  God 
against  sin,  and  so  quenched  that  curse  which  lay  upon  that 
nature,  his  spirit  re-animated  that  body  which  could  not 
see  corruption  ;  he  was  raised  triumphantly  from  the  grave, 
he  ascended  with  our  flesh  into  the  presence  of  God,  he  has 
reconciled  thereby  our  very  nature  to  the  Holy  God,  and 
through  him  it  is  now  righteous  in  God  to  receive  those 
vv'earing  the  human  form  which  the  Son  of  God  wears,  and 
to  give  them  every  blessing  when  they  return  to  God  by 
him. 

Such  is  the  glorious  and  wondrous  plan  of  Divine  grace. 
While  "  all  have  sinned  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of' 
( jod,"  he  has  provided  a  way  by  which  we  may  be  "  jus- 
tified freely  by  his  grace  through  the  redemption  that  is  in 
(  hifist  Jesus,  whom  God  has  set  forth  to  be  a  propitiation 
tlirough  faith  in  his  blood,  to  declare  his  rigliteousness  for 
the  remission  of  sins  that  are  past,  tlu'ough  the  forbearance 

Christ,  whether  thoy  have  ripen  in  these  latter  days  or  in  any  age  heretofore, 
may  be,  with  great  facility,  brought  to  confine  themselves."  Keble's  Hooker, 
vol.  ii.  book  5. 


172 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


of  God  ;  to  declare,  I  say,  at  this  time  his  righteousness, 
that  he  might  be  just,  and  the  justifier  of  him  which  be- 
lieveth  in  Jesus." 

Christ,  then,  is  our  life,  as  he  purchased  life  for  us 
(1  John  iv.  9)  ;  as  he  works  in  us  the  meetness  for  our  hea- 
venly inheritance.  (Col.  i.  12.)  As  life  is  in  him  as  its 
head  and  root,  its  fountain  and  treasury  (1  John  v.  11); 
as  he  is  the  way  to  the  Father  (John  xiv.  6)  ;  as  he  pre- 
pares heavenly  glory  for  us  (John  xiv.  2,  3)  ;  and  will 
communicate  it  to  us  at  the  last  day  (2  Tim.iv.  8  ;  Rev. 
vii.  17;  and  it  is  in  his  glory  we  are  glorified  for  ever. 
(Rev.  xxii.  3,  4.) 

Oh  then,  would  you  obtain  this  life,  come  to  Jesus  and 
trust  in  him.  He  is  the  "  author  of  eternal  salvation  unto 
all  them  that  obey  him."  Heb.  v.  9. 

Meditation. 

In  what  way  could  all  God's  perfections  be  more  illus- 
trated, the  equity  and  goodness  of  his  law  be  more  exhi- 
bited, the  wickedness  of  all  cavils  against  his  truth  be  more 
manifested,  the  exceeding  riches  of  his  loving-kindness  to 
man  be  more  displaj'ed,  than  by  his  own  Son  emptying 
himself  of  his  divine  glory,  appearing  in  our  feeblest  form, 
and  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  promised  also  to  us, 
yielding  perfect  obedience  unto  God,  d^-ing  for  us,  and  then 
rising  again  to  be  our  life  ]  Oh  how  good  that  law,  when 
the  lawgiver  himself  fulfils  it  !  How  consistent  with  per- 
fect loving-kindness  all  its  penalties,  when  he  who  annexed 
those  penalties  to  it  endured  them  for  our  sakes  !  How  just 
'and  holy,  how  gracious  and  merciful,  my  God  is  !  And 
think  how  awful  must  be  the  guilt  of  rejecting  all  this  pro- 
vision of  mercy,  and  how  sore  the  punishment  of  such 
transgression  ;  and  dread,  0  my  soul,  above  everything, 
neglecting  so  great  salvation ! 

8.  THE  LIFE  WHICH  WE  HAVE  IN  CHRIST  JESUS. 

Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  called  "  the  word  of  life."  It 


CHRIST,  OUR  LIFE. 


173 


is  said,  "  In  him  was  life,  and  tlie  life  was  the  light  of 
men."  Christ  is  "  the  light  of  the  world,  and  he  that  fol- 
loweth  him  shall  not  walk  in  darkness,  but  sliall  have  the 
light  of  life."  There  is  a  real  life  to  be  derived  from  him. 
As  by  nature  we  are  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,  so  by 
grace  when  baptized  into  the  death  of  Jesus  we  die  to  sin 
and  gain  life  unto  God.  It  is  indeed  a  death  and  life  in- 
compreliensible  to  a  worldly  and  unconverted  man  (1  Cor. 
ii.  14),  but  not  less  real  or  inestimably  important  on  that 
account.  The  apostle  tells  the  Colossians,  "  Ye  are  dead,  and 
your  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God  ;  and  when  Christ  wlio  is 
our  life  shall  appear,  then  shall  ye  also  appear  with  him  in 
glory."  So  he  tells  the  Galatians,  "  I  am  crucified  with 
Christ,  nevertheless  I  live  ;  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in 
me,  and  the  life  I  now  live  in  the  flesh  I  live  by  the  faith 
of  the  Son  of  God." 

Let  us  endeavour  to  illustrate  this  peculiarly  important 
truth.  We  know  that  the  life  of  the  body  depends  on  its 
union  with  the  soul.  If  the  soul  be  separated  from  the 
body,  the  body  immediately  becomes  inanimate,  and  soon 
begins  to  corrupt  and  decay  till  the  whole  is  a  mass  of  cor- 
ruption and  ruin.  This  is  an  exact  picture  of  the  state  of 
the  soul  when  it  is  separated  from  God.  Tliere  is  a  scrip- 
tural distinction  between  existence  and  life.  "  He  that 
hath  the  Son  hath  life,  and  he  that  hath  not  the  Son  hath 
not  life."  The  souls  of  all  men  living  in  the  world  have 
existence  ;  but  without  the  indwelling  of  God  by  his  Spirit, 
it  is  an  existence  wliich  is  corrupt  and  abominable,  full  of 
all  filthinessand  defilement,  spreading  infection  and  death. 
It  is  only  the  soul  tliat  lias  believed  in  Jesus  that  has  true 
life.  The  good  Shepherd  himself  declares,  "I  am  come 
that  they  miglit  have  life,  and  that  they  might  have  it 
more  abundantly."  Thus  "  man  does  not  live  by  bread 
alone,  but  by  every  word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth 
of  God." 

What  is  this  life  ?  in  what  does  it  consist  ?  I  will  en- 
deavour to  make  this  as  clear  and  distinct  as  the  Scrip- 
tures enal)le  us  to  do. 


174 


CHRISTIATf  TRUTH  : 


It  is  a  life  of  restoration  to  God's  favour.  By  be- 
lieving in  Christ  we  come  to  the  blessed  conviction  and  as- 
surance that  God  still  bears  a  favourable  and  kind  and 
gracious  feeling  towards  us,  notwithstanding  all  our  sins, 
and  that  he  has  "  reconciled  the  world  unto  himself."  God 
looks  upon  his  beloved  Son  in  our  nature,  and  is  infinitely 
vrell  pleased  with  him.  Through  him  he  is  gracious  to  all 
who  come  in  this  appointed  way.  Christ  "  is  able  to  save 
to  the  uttermost  all  who  come  unto  God  by  him."  Heb. 
vii.  25.  In  his  "  favour  is  life."  Psalm  xxx.  .5.  "  His 
loving-kindness  is  better  than  life."  Psalm  Ixiii.  8.  By 
Christ,  then,  I  gain  the  light  of  God's  countenance,  and  the 
joy  of  his  salvation. 

It  is  A  LIFE  OF  justificatiox.  The  removal  of  the 
guilt  of  sin  ;  the  happiness  of  being  accounted  righteous 
before  God,  and  of  having  nothing  between  God  and  our 
souls,  is  a  blessedness  unspeakably  great.  Psalm  sxxii.  ], 
2.  It  gives  us  a  guileless,  free,  and  happy  spirit  with  God. 
Now  in  the  glorious  gospel  of  Christ  we  learn,  that  "  by  the 
righteousness  of  one,  the  free  gift  came  upon  all  men  to 
justification  of  life  ;"  we  learn  too  that  "  they  which  re- 
ceive abundance  of  grace  and  of  the  gift  of  righteousness 
shall  reign  in  life  by  one,  Jesus  Christ."  By  Christ,  then, 
we  have  the  life  of  justification  ;  we  are  brought,  sinful  as 
we  are,  into  a  state  of  righteousness  before  God  :  yes,  are 
"  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  him.'' 

It  is  a  life  of  adoption.  We  are  brought  into  the 
relation  of  children.  God,  our  own  God,  has  a  father's 
heart  towards  us,  and  we  have  the  spirit  of  adoption,  crj'- 
ing  to  him,  Abba,  Father.  "  Ye  are  all  the  children  of 
God  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus."  For  this  end  he  redeemed 
us  "  that  we  might  receive  the  adoption  of  sons,  and  walk 
in  the  liberty,  and  confidence,  and  happiness  of  the  children 
of  the  living  God,  all  our  days. 

It  is  A  life  of  sanctificatiox,  or  holiness;  this  flows 
from  the  foregoing  characters  of  this  life.  "  The  just  live 
by  faith."  Rom.  i.  17.  "  I  am,"  says  St.  Paul,  "  crucified 
to  the  world :  nevertheless  I  live,  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth 


CHRIST,  OUR  LIFE.  175 

in  me.  As  ye  have  received  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,  so  walk 
ye  in  him."  This  life  of  holiness  consists  in  inward  con- 
formity to  God's  holy  will,  crucifying  the  flesh  with  its 
affections  and  lusts,  and  an  outward  walking  according  to 
the  varied  directions  of  his  holy  word. 

It  is  a  LIFE  OF  JOY.  "  Rejoice  in  the  Lord  always,  and 
again  I  say  rejoice.  We  joy  in  God  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  As  soiTowful,  yet  always  rejoicing."  God 
has  provided  largely  for  our  happiness  in  the  gospel  of  his 
Son.  When  Christ  conies  into  your  heart,  and  dwells  there 
by  faith,  then  comes  joy,  yes,  "  great  joy."  Acts  viii.  8. 
To  be  fflad  and  to  live  are  joined  together.  Psalm  Ixix.  S2. 
The  joy  that  comes  from  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the 
purest,  fullest,  and  most  enduring  joy  that  an  immortal 
being  like  man  can  possess.  He  receives  the  word  "  with 
joy  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  1  Thess.  i.  G.  He  is  filled  with 
"  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing."  Rom.  xv.  1.3.  The  joy 
he  has  in  the  joy  of  his  fellow-creatures  is  exceeding  great 
— Phil.  ii.  17,  18  ;  1  Thess.  iii.  19  ;  and  the  joy  he  has  in 
his  God  is  still  greater.  Psalm  xvi.  11  ;  xliii.  4.  And  the 
prospect  before  him  of  a  heavenly  inheritance  enables  him, 
in  the  midst  of  all  present  sutferings,  to  "  rejoice  with  joy 
unspeakable  and  full  of  glory." 

There  is  a  life  of  glory  also  before  us.  "When 
Christ  wiio  is  our  life  sliall  appear,  then  shall  we  also  ap- 
pear witli  him  in  glory."  Tliis  is  the  full  maturity  and 
perfection  of  grace.  Grace  is  now  like  the  sap  or  juice 
which  a  rose-plant  draws  up  inwardly  in  the  spring,  with 
little  appearance  of  life,  but  when  the  Sun  of  Righteous- 
ness shines  forth  in  glory,  it  will  be  like  the  same  plant  in 
the  summer,  with  all  its  foliage,  and  bearing  the  crowns  of 
beautiful  and  fragrant  flowers.  How  beautifully  David 
says  to  his  God,  "  All  my  springs  arc  in  thee."  When 
Christians  come  to  this  fountain-head,  it  is  promised  "  they 
shall  be  abundantly  satisfied  with  the  fatness  of  thy  house, 
they  shall  drink  of  the  rivers  of  thy  pleasure  ;  for  with 
thee  is  the  fountain  of  life,  and  in  thy  light  shall  we  see 
light."  Ps.  xxxvi.  8,  U. 


176 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Whence,  then,  arises  this  wonderful  change  in  him  who 
is  by  nature  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins  1  All  men  through 
love  of  sin,  reject  the  gospel,  and  if  left  to  themselves  must 
perish  in  this  rejection.  "  If  our  gospel  be  hid,  it  is  hid  to 
them  that  are  lost,  in  whom  the  god  of  this  world  (even 
Satan)  hath  blinded  the  eyes  of  them  that  believe  not,  lest 
the  light  of  the  glorious  gospel  of  Christ,  who  is  the  image 
of  God,  should  shine  unto  them." 

But  our  God  will  not  thus  be  frustrated  in  his  love  to 
men.  He  has  provided  in  the  plan  of  redemption  for  this 
deeper  wretchedness  of  man,  under  the  blaze  of  so  much 
light  and  love,  by  still  farther  depths  and  heights  of  loving- 
kindness.  He  chooses  and  singles  out  of  mankind,  thus 
rebellious,  as  he  will,  and  whom  he  will,  to  make  them 
vessels  of  mercy  for  his  own  glory,  their  salvation,  and  the 
final  blessedness  of  our  earth. 

How,  then,  do  we  obtain  this  life  ?  Christ  is  the  giver 
of  it,  Christ  is  the  way  to  it,  Christ  is  the  substance  of  it, 
Christ  is  the  end  of  it.  "  For  to  me  to  live  is  Christ." 
Phil.  i.  21.  "  In  this  was  manifested  the  love  of  God  to- 
wards us,  because  that  God  sent  his  only-begotten  Son 
into  the  world  that  we  might  live  through  him.  1  John  iv. 
9.  Baptism  is  the  outward  and  visible  sign  of  this  inward 
and  spiritual  grace,  a  means  whereby  we  receive  the 
"  same,  and  a  pledge  to  assure  us  thereof."  The  new  birth 
of  the  Spirit  is  the  real  beginning  of  this  change.  John 
iii.  3 — 5. 

It  is  by  believing  and  realizing  God's  love  to  us  in  Christ 
that  we  live.  John  iii.  16.  It  is.  by  applying  to  ourselves 
what  Christ  has  done  in  our  nature,  and  as  our  head  and 
representative,  that  we  in  spirit  partake  now  of  his  life. 
"  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  for  his  great  love  wherewith 
he  loved  us,  even  when  we  were  dead  in  sins,  hath  quick- 
ened us  and  raised  us  up  together,  and  made  us  sit  together 
in  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus." 

Prayer  for  Spiritual  Life. 
My  soul  cleaveth  unto  the  dust :  0  Lord,  quicken  thou 


CHRIST,  OUR  LIFE.  177 

me  according  to  thy  word  !  Author  and  giver  of  spiritual 
life,  quicken  me  for  thy  name's  sake  !  Impart  unto  me 
tiiy  Holy  Spirit,  that  niy  soul  may  live,  and  I  may  praise 
thee  !  Thou  hast  called  me  to  this  life,  thou  hast  assured 
me,  0  divine  Redeemer,  that  thou  camest  into  the  world 
that  we  might  liave  life,  and  tliat  we  might  have  it  more 
abundantly.  Thou  sayest,  Ask,  and  ye  shall  have  :  0  Lord 
Jesus,  give  unto  my  soul  this  spiritual  life  which  thou 
hast  for  me.  0  thou,  who  hast  given  grace  to  desire  it, 
give  me  the  blessing  thou  disposest  me  to  ask,  that  I  too 
may  tell  of  this  life  to  others,  and  they  may  share  it  with 
me  for  ever,  to  the  glory  of  thy  irame. 

4.  THE  RECEIVING  OF  CHRIST  JESUS. 

Knowledge  of  God  is  the  first  step  we  make  to  real  holi- 
ness and  hajipiness.  "  Let  not  the  wise  man  glory  in  his 
wisdom,  neither  let  the  mighty  man  glory  in  his  miglit, 
let  not  the  rich  man  glory  in  his  riches  ;  but  let  liim  that 
glorieth  glory  in  this,  that  he  understandeth  and  knoweth 
me,  that  I  am  the  Lord,  which  exercise  loving-kindness, 
judgment,  and  righteousness,  for  in  these  things  I  delight, 
saith  the  Lord." 

To  gain  this  knowledge  it  is  all-essential  that  we  receive 
the  Lord  Jesus,  as  revealed  in  the  word  of  God,  into  our 
hearts.  Here  was  the  great  error  of  the  Jewish  nation. 
"  He  came  unto  his  own,  and  his  own  received  him  not." 
Here  was  the  great  blessedness  of  the  •"  remnant  according 
to  the  election  of  grace."  They  did  really  receive  him  as 
the  true  Messiah  ;  as  their  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King. 
"  As  many  as  received  him,  to  them  gave  he  power  to 
become  the  sons  of  God,  even  to  them  that  believe  on  his 
name." 

This  receiving  of  Ciirist  is  believing  the  plain  testimony 
of  God  concerning  liim,  being  fully  persuaded  of  the  trutli 
of  God's  precious  promises  to  us  and  to  all  men  in  Christ 
Jesus,  embracing  them  with  the  heart,  and  so  rejoicing  in 
him  as  our  complete  Saviour,  confessing  him  with  the 


178 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


mouth,  and  living  as  strangers  and  pilgrims  on  earth,  that 
we  may  reign  with  him  in  glorJ^ 

It  is  not  that  God  requires  me  to  believe  certain  truths, 
difficult  to  reason,  or  above  reason,  that  by  overcoming  this 
difficulty  I  may  be  entitled  to  pardon  and  salvation  ;  God 
deals  not  in  this  way  with  any  man.  His  service  is  a 
reasonable  service,  as  well  as  perfect  freedom.  But  God 
having  made  perfectly  clear,  by  its  own  bright  light  and 
holy  love,  to  every  conscience  not  wilfully  blinded  through 
the  love  of  sin,  the  truth  and  reality  as  well  as  the  glory 
and  excellence  of  his  word,  does  require  all  men  to  believe 
it,  by  his  divine  authority  and  positive  command.  "  This 
is  his  commandment,  that  we  should  believe  on  the  name 
of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ." 

And  the  nature  of  the  truth  to  be  believed  is  so  pure  and 
heavenl}',  a  seed  of  such  power  and  influence,  that  it  cannot 
be  truly  known  and  received  into  the  heart  without  the 
most  blessed  and  mighty  effects.  "  Of  his  own  will  begat 
he  us  with  the  word  of  truth,  that  we  should  be  a  kind  of 
first-fruits  of  his  creatures.  Ye  have  purified  your  souls 
in  obeying  the  truth  through  the  Spirit  unto  unfeigned 
love  of  the  brethren  ;  see  that  ye  love  one  another  with  a 
pure  heart  fervently,  being  born  again,  not  of  corruptible 
seed,  but  of  incorruptible,  by  the  word  of  God,  which  liveth 
and  abideth  for  ever." 

It  has  a  quickening,  transforming,  purifying  effect  upon 
our  whole  souls  ;  when  giving  up  our  self-wisdom  and 
self-will  to  the  infallible  wisdom  and  holy  will  of  God,  we 
yield  a  joyful  and  entire  confidence  to  truth  so  full  of  holy 
love,  as  is  divine  truth. 

But  let  us  proceed  more  fully  to  illustrate  the  receiving 
of  Christ  as  our  life.  The  apostle  dwells  at  some  length 
on  this.  (Col.  ii.)  After  directing  us  to  "  walk  in  Christ 
Jesus"  as  we  have  "  received"  him,  and  shewing  the  dan- 
ger of  philosophy  and  vain  deceit,  and  the  fulness  of  his 
Godhead,  he  says,  "  Ye  are  complete  in  him,  which  is  the 
head  of  all  principality  and  power."  He  then  shews  how 
baptism,  "  the  circumcision  without  hands,"  introduces  us 


CHRIST,  OUR  LIFE.  179 

to  this  union  with  him  ;  that  is,  the  completed  act  of  bap- 
tism, not  merely  the  washing  with  water  by  the  appointed 
minister,  but  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost  also.  He 
fui'ther  states  that  we  are  "  buried  with  him  in  baptism, 
wherein  also  we  are  risen  with  him  through  faith  of  the 
operation  of  God  who  hath  raised  him  from  the  dead." 

Baptism  is  the  outward  sign  of  our  receiving  Christ,  and 
being  made  one  with  him.  It  is  also  more  than  the  out- 
ward sign  ;  it  is  the  means  and  the  pledge.  Designed  by 
God  to  teach  us  the  truth  of  our  being  washed  from  our 
sins  in  the  blood  of  Jesus,  and  sanctified  by  the  power  of 
his  Spirit  ;  and  designed  also  as  his  appointment  to  impart 
to  us  that  faith  and  grace  by  which  a  real  spiritual  life 
may  be  begun  or  continued  in  us. 

All  baptized  Ciiristians  have  professedly  received  Christ ; 
by  faith  this  becomes  a  reality  ;  but  unbelief  makes  it  not 
only  void,  but  an  awful  apostacy  and  an  aggravated  con- 
demnation. Oh  it  is  fearful  to  think  what  multitudes  of 
professing  Christians  are  now  in  this  state,  "  having  the 
form  of  godliness,  but  denying  the  power  thereof  !  " 

Prayer  for  grace  to  receive  Christ  as  our  Life. 

Almighty  Father,  who  so  loved  the  world  that  thou 
sparedst  not  thine  own  Son,  but  delivered  him  up  for  us 
all,  and  thereby  dost  -assure  us  thou  wilt  with  him  freely 
give  us  all  things,  open,  I  entreat  thee,  my  eyes  to  see, 
open  my  heart  to  embrace  this  thy  great  love.  Oh  let  not 
the  god  of  this  world  blind  my  mind  through  my  unbelief, 
but  give  me  the  precious  gift  of  faith  to  believe  in  the  name 
of  Jesus,  and  rejoice  in  his  grace.  Lord  Jesus,  come  and 
dwell  in  ray  heart  by  faith,  that  I  may  be  rooted  and 
grounded  in  love.  0  Holy  Ghost,  direct  my  heart  into  the 
love  of  God.  0  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Clirist, 
quicken  me  and  raise  me  to  sit  together  with  him  in  hea- 
venly places,  for  his  name's  sake. 

5.   THE   RISEN   LIFE   ON  EARTH. 

It  is  perfectly  clear  that  the  scriptures  consider  the  real 

N  2 


180 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


life  of  a  Christian  to  be  something  far  superior  to  a  mere 
moral  course  of  good  conduct,  and  to  outward  actions  of 
piety  and  devotion.  His  life  includes  all  that,  and  with 
that  he  is  called,  as  his  happiness  and  privilege,  to  do  more 
than  others. 

The  apostle  dwells  at  length  on  this  in  the  sixth  chapter 
to  the  Romans.  Read  that  chapter,  with  prayer  to  be  led 
into  '■■  this  newness  of  life,"  and  being  planted  "  in  the 
likeness  of  his  resurrection,"  and  into  "  being  dead  indeed 
unto  sin,  but  alive  unto  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ." 

The  risen  life  on  earth  of  the  real  Christian,  hidden  now 
from  the  world,  will  all  be  manifested  in  that  quickly 
coming  day  when  our  Loi'd  appears  :  "  When  Christ,  who 
is  our  life,  shall  appear,  then  shall  we  also  appear  with  him 
in  glory."  This  is  the  great  hope  of  the  gospel  :  but  before 
that  day  there  is  ,an  earnest  and  foretaste  of  its  joys  ;  there 
is  a  real  life  and  blessedness  now  to  be  received  and  en- 
joyed. What  is  the  nature  of  this  risen  life  ?  By  what  is 
it  distinguished  fi-om  the  natural  life  which  all  men  enjoy  ? 
Let  us  view  it  in  its  description  as  a  resurrection. 

1st.  View  this  resuiTection  as  it  regards  all  mex. 
There  is  a  resurrection  with  Christ  as  the  Lord  from 
HEAVEN  appearing  in  our  nature,  who  for  all  men  died 
and  rose  again.  Adam  was  "  the  figure  of  him  that  is  to 
come,  in  his  representative  character.  Our  Lord  Christ  is 
"  the  second  man,  the  last  Adam,"  who  was  made  "  a 
quickening  spirit."  Thus  the  apostle  contrasts  the  two. 
"  As  by  the  offence  of  one  man,  judgment  came  upon  all 
men  to  condemnation,  even  so  by  the  righteousness  of  one, 
the  free  gift  came  upon  all  men  unto  justification  of  life." 
Again,  also,  he  tells  the  Corinthians,  "  Since  by  man  came 
death,  by  man  came  also  the  resurrection  of  the  dead.  For 
as  in  Adam  all  die,  even  so  in  Christ  shall  all  be  made 
alive."  Here  is  that  general  redemption  which  Christ  has 
provided  for  the  whole  race  of  man,  and  which  enables 
ministei-s,  with  a  full  remedy,  to  go  into  all  the  world,  and 
preach  the  good  tidings  to  every  human  being. 


CHRIST,  OUR  LIFE. 


181 


2nd.  View  this  farther  in  its  application  personally  to  a 

RKSURRECTION  IN  SPIRIT  TO   ALL   BELIEVERS.     There  IS 

a  resurrection  with  Christ,  as  our  head,  which  is  peculiar 
to  his  people  ;  he  is  called  "  the  first-born  among  many 
brethren."  Again  it  is  said,  "  By  hiin  all  things  consist, 
and  he  is  the  head  of  the  body,  the  church  ;  who  is  the 
beginning,  the  first-born  from  the  dead."  Every  believer 
has  spiritually  a  participation  of  those  acts  which  Christ 
in  his  body  went  through  for  us.  Was  he  circumcised  in 
the  flesh  ?  "  we  are  circumcised  with  the  circumcision 
made  without  hands,  in  putting  off  the  body  of  the  sins  of 
the  flesh  by  the  circumcision  of  Christ.  Was  he  crucified 
on  the  tree  ?  we  also  are  crucified  with  him — "  they  that 
are  Christ's  have  crucified  the  flesh  with  its  affections  and 
lusts."  Did  he  suffer  ?  we  are  called  to  the  fellowship  of 
his  sufferings  :  "  Forasmuch,  then,  as  Christ  hath  suffered 
for  us  in  the  flesh,  arm  yourselves  likewise  with  the  same 
mind,  for  he  that  suffered  in  the  flesh  hath  ceased  from 
sin."  His  acts  are  the  very  model,  visibly,  of  what  Chris- 
tians have  to  go  through  and  experience  spiritually. 
"  If  ye,  then,  be  risen  with  Christ,  seek  those  things  which 
are  above,  where  Christ  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  God." 
The  apostle  very  remarkably  opens  this  in  his  prayer  for 
the  Ephesians,  He  asks  that  God  would  "give  unto  them 
the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  revelation  in  the  knowledge  of 
him  ;"  he  then  shews  them  "  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  his 
inheritance  in  the  saints,"  the  mighty  i)ower  by  wliich  he 
was  raised  from  the  dead  at  God's  own  right  hand  in  the 
heavenly  places,  and  after  many  glowing  expressions,  full 
of  heavenly  feeling,  he  comes  to  shew  that  "  God  has 
quickened  us  together  with  Christ,  and  raised  us  up  toge- 
ther, and  made  us  sit  together  in  heavenl}^  places  in  Christ 
Jesus." 

My  heart  almost  sinks  within  me  in  speaking  of  these 
things  ;  in  the  feeling  conviction  that  I  and  my  fellow- 
Christians  fall  far  below  all  these  privileges.  Our  souls 
cleave  so  much  to  the  dust  that  we  can  hardly  raise  our 
thoughts  to  this  which  ought  to  be  our  daily  life.    All  our 


182 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


affections  and  strongest  feelings  should  be  with  our  dear 
Redeemer  in  his  glory.  Just  as  the  affections  of  a  beloved 
absent  child  are  with  the  parent,  and  the  parent's  with  the 
child,  so  should  be  the  state  of  feeling  between  our  souls 
and  that  loving  Saviour  whose  heart  is  always  with  us  to 
do  us  good.  In  spirit  we  should  be  risen  with  him,  and 
setting  our  affections  constantly  on  things  above. 

Hence  there  is  a  HEAVENLY  citizenship.  "Ye  are  no 
more  strangers  and  foreigners,  but  fellow-citizens  with  the 
saints,  and  of  the  household  of  God."  We  belong  not  to 
earth  which,  in  its  present  polluted  and  sinful  state,  is 
soon  to  pass  away,  and  it  and  all  its  works  to  be  burned 
up.  "  Our  conversation,"  or  citizenship,  "  is  in  heaven. 
We  know  that  if  our  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  fail, 
we  have  a  building  of  God,  a  house  not  made  with  hands, 
eternal  in  the  heavens."  We  are  not  now  foreigners  to 
heavenly  things,  but  foreigners  to  earthly  things.  Our 
chief  relations  and  connections  now  are  no  longer  with  that 
which  belongs  entirely  to  this  earth  and  its  vanities,  but 
with  that  which  belongs  to  the  heavenly  kingdom  of  our  Re- 
deemer. There  is  our  home,  there  our  best  friends  are  gone, 
or  going  :  there  is  our  richest  treasure  and  our  highest  joy. 
How  triumphantly  the  apostle  speaks  of  this  as  the  pre- 
sent character  of  the  believer  in  the  true  enjoyment  of  his 
real  privileges  :  "  Ye  are  come  unto  Mount  Zion,  and  unto 
the  city  of  the  living  God,  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  and  to 
an  innumerable  company  of  angels,  to  the  general  assem- 
bly and  church  of  the  first-born,  which  are  written  in  hea- 
ven, and  to  God  the  judge  of  all,  and  to  the  spirits  of  just 
men  made  perfect,  and  to  Jesus  the  mediator  of  the  New 
Covenant,  and  to  the  blood  of  spi'inkling  which  speaketh 
better  things  than  that  of  Abel." 

Meditation. 

Oh  for  grace  to  rise  to  this  heavenly  life  on  earth  !  How 
precious,  how  valuable,  such  grace  must  be  !  Lord,  teach 
me  to  prize  it  and  to  seek  it  above  every  thing  else,  and 
willingly  to  part  with  other  things,  that  I  may  win  Christ, 
and  be  found  in  him. 


CHRIST,  OUR  LIFE. 


183 


6.  THE  POWER  BY  WHICH  THIS  LIFE  IS  SUSTAINED, 

Mysterious  and  hidden  as  is  the  life  of  the  Christian  in 
the  eyes  of  the  workl,  there  is  an  adequate  power  for  its 
maintenance.  We  have  seen  that  it  pleases  God  first  to 
impart  this  life  in  the  new  birth  of  the  Spirit,  pointed  out 
in  baptism,  which  is  also  God's  means  of  grace  for  our  ob- 
taining it,  when  received  in  faitli  and  duly  improved.  God 
has  also  provided  outward  means  and  inward  and  effective 
power  for  maintaining  this  life. 

Various  are  the  outward  means.  I  will  notice  two,  the 
word  of  God  and  the  Lord's  Supper.  The  word  of  God 
is  the  means  by  which  we  are  first  begotten,  and  by  which 
also  we  are  afterwards  nourished  unto  everlasting  life. 
When  the  Israelites  were  fed  with  manna  in  the  wilder- 
ness, the  design  was  to  make  them  know  "  that  man  doth 
not  live  by  bread  only,  but  by  every  word  that  proceedeth 
out  of  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  doth  man  live." 

The  Lord's  Supper  is  an  ordinance  specially  connected 
with  the  maintenance  of  spiritual  life.  It  is  the  outward 
and  visible  sign  of  the  inward  and  spiritual  grace.  It  is 
also  a  means  whereby  we  are  assured  of  its  reality  and 
blessedness,  and  whereby  our  souls  are  actually  refreshed, 
when  truly  believing  in  the  grace  given  in  that  ordinance. 
Our  Saviour  dwells  at  much  length,  in  the  sixth  of  John, 
on  that  feeding  on  Christ  in  our  hearts  by  faith,  of  which 
the  feeding  on  bread  and  wine,  the  symbols  of  his  body  and 
blood,  is  the  sign,  and  the  means,  and  the  pledge. 

The  inward  and  effective  power  is  the  Holy  Ghost, 
which  our  risen  and  interceding  Saviour  has  obtained  in 
our  behalf,  and  bestows  on  all  who  come  to  him.  Won- 
derful is  tlie  difference  between  the  outward  means  only, 
and  the  outward  means  made  effective  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
as  St.  Paul  clearly  shews,  telling  the  Thessalonians,  "  Our 
gospel  came  unto  you  not  in  word  only,  but  also  in  power, 
and  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance." 

But  still  Christ  is  the  giver  of  the  Holy  Ghost.    He  has 


184 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


received  for  us,  and  he  bestows  on  us  sinners  this  divine 
gift.  For  tliis  end  he  ascended  in  our  nature,  and,  seated 
at  the  right  hand  of  God,  "  lie  ever  hveth  to  make  inter- 
cession for  us."  He  tells  us  what  the  trreat  subject  of  his 
intercession  is,  wlien  he  says,  "  I  will  pray  to  the  Father, 
and  he  shall  give  you  another  Comforter,  that  he  may  abide 
with  you  for  ever,  even  the  Spirit  of  truth." 

See  then.  Christian  reader,  how  there  is  provided  for  you 
in  him,  who  has  loved  you  even  unto  death,  every  thing 
that  you  can  possibly  need  for  your  great  and  urgent  ne- 
cessities ;  life  and  the  means  of  life.  It  is  a  day  of  rich 
grace  and  abounding  loving-kindness.  But  the  very  reality 
and  extent  of  this  grace  makes  it  unspeakably  important 
that  you  should  not  trifle  with  it. 

"  Deadness  of  spirit  and  want  of  spiritual  activity  is 
very  inexcusable  in  a  believer.  Christ  has  life  enough  for 
him,  and  he  is  willing  enough  to  communicate  more  and 
more  of  this  spiritual  life  :  if  the  fountain  of  life  were  a 
mere  creature,  something  might  be  said  for  our  deadness 
and  coldness  :  but  now  seeing  Jesus  Christ  is  our  life,  our 
deadness  is  inexcusable  to  ourselves,  and  dishonourable  to 
Christ.  The  life  and  fruitfiilness  of  the  branches  is  the 
glor}'  of  the  tree  ;  and  spiritual  fruitfulness  in  a  believer  is 
an  honour  to  Jesus  Christ.  We  see  (Psalm  xcii.  12 — 15.) 
that  the  righteous  flourish,  to  shew  that  the  Lord  is  up- 
right. The  fulness  of  Christ  is  manifested  by  the  fruitful- 
ness of  a  Christian." 

When  Moses  had  set  before  the  Israelites  the  glorious 
doctrine  of  God's  love  to  them,  and  his  gracious  designs  for 
their  happiness,  he  told  them  "  the  word  is  very  nigh  unto 
thee,  in  thy  mouth  and  in  thy  heart,  that  thou  mayest  do 
it ;"  assuring  them  that  it  was  not  in  the  inaccessible 
Leavens,  or  beyond  the  distant  seas,  but  close  to  them  and 
ready  for  them  ;  he  also  immediately  added,  "  See,  I  have 
set  before  thee  this  day  life  and  good,  and  death  and  evil." 

Thus,  Christian  reader,  the  blessed  life  of  the  Christian, 
has  been  also  set  before  you,  along  with  that  awful  and 
spiritual  death  in  which  all  men  are  by  nature  sunk, 


CHRIST,  OCR  LIFE. 


185 


and  from  which,  if  not  i-aised  in  the  day  of  grace,  you  are 
ripening  for  the  second  death.  The  second  death  has  power 
on  those  who  have  no  part  in  the  first  I'esurrection.  How 
forcibly  are  these  things  set  before  us  in  the  words  of 
Moses  to  Israel !  "  I  call  heaven  and  earth  to  record  this 
day  against  you,  that  I  have  set  before  you  life  and  death, 
blessing  and  cursing  ;  therefore  choose  life,  that  thou  and 
thy  seed  may  live  ;  that  thou  mayest  love  the  Lord  thy 
God,  and  that  thou  mayest  obey  his  voice,  and  that  thou 
mayest  cleave  unto  him  :  for  he  is  thy  life  and  the  length 
of  thy  days." 

There  are  ten  thousand  ways  by  which  Satan  seeks  to 
turn  men's  attention  from  these  "great  and  everlasting  con- 
cerns. What  he  seeks  is  to  keep  you  in  blindness,  that 
you  may  be  in  entire  captivity  to  him,  to  your  everlasting 
destruction.  But  will  you  believe  the  father  of  lies,  before 
the  God  of  truth — the  murderer  from  the  beginning,  before 
the  Father  of  mercies  ?  Oh,  listen  to  your  heavenly  Pa- 
rent !  Search  the  scriptures  whether  tliese  things  are  not 
so.  Pray  for  divine  teaching,  that  the  veil  may  be  re- 
moved from  your  hearts,  and  the  glorious  light  of  the  gos- 
pel may  shine  upon  you. 

All  things  pertaining  to  life  and  godliness  are  through 
the  great  power  and  love  of  God  given  to  you  in  Christ 
Jesus.  In  this  day  of  grace,  while  the  accepted  time  con- 
tinues, believe  the  love  of  God,  be  reconciled  to  him  on 
whom  you  wholly  depend,  receive  his  abundant  grace  and 
gift  of  righteousness  provided  for  you,  and  though  death 
has  reigned  by  one,  even  the  first  Adam,  you  shall  reign  in 
life  by  one,  even  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

Prayer  for  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

0  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  hast  ascended  upon  high,  who 
hast  received  gifts  for  the  rebellious,  even  such  as  I  have 
been,  who  invitest  all  to  come  to  thee,  and  castest  out  none 
tliat  come,  behold  me  now  at  thy  mercy-seat,  asking  for 
that  most  precious  gift  which  thou  hast  so  freely  promised, 


186 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


saying,  Whosoever  will,  let  him  take  of  the  water  of  life 
freely.  Give  me,  even  me,  this  thy  Spirit,  that  I  may 
know  the  things  freely  given  me  of  God,  that  I  may  rejoice 
in  thy  loving-kindness,  and  from  my  own  happiness  tell 
others  what  great  things  thou  hast  done  for  me,  and  call 
them  to  turn  unto  thee  the  only  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  to 
whom,  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  all  honour 
and  glory  evermore. 


CHKISTIAN  PRIVILEOES. 


187 


CHAPTER  X. 

CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGES. 

1.  The  outward  state  of  tlie  Christian— 2.  His  varied  spiritual  state — 3. 
His  ordinary  privileges  in  this  life — 4.  His  special  privileges — 5.  His  hope  of 
future  glory — 6.  The  communication  of  these  privileges — 7.  The  effect  of  them. 

1.  THE  OUTWARD  STATE  OF  A  CHRISTIAN. 

The  outward  condition  of  a  Christian  partakes  of  all  tlie 
varied  circumstances  of  our  fallen  race.  There  is  no  lawful 
situation  in  which  a  Christian  may  not  prosper  and  adorn 
the  gospel,  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest.  Like  David, 
Hezekiah,  and  Josiah,  he  may  reign  as  a  righteous  king  ; 
like  the  blind  man,  he  may  be  a  beggar  by  the  way -side. 
Like  Abraham,  he  may  be  very  rich  ;  like  the  poor  widow, 
he  may  have  but  a  single  farthing.  Like  Moses,  he  may 
have  vigorous  health,  even  in  old  age,  "his  eye  not  dim, 
nor  his  natural  force  abated  ;  "  or,  like  Gains,  he  may  be 
sick,  or,  as  Lazarus  was,  he  may  be  full  of  sores,  and  die 
in  poverty  and  affliction.  In  these  outward  circumstances 
"  all  things  come  alike  to  all  ;  there  is  one  event  to  the 
righteous  and  to  tlie  wicked  ;  to  the  good  and  to  the  evil  ; 
to  tlie  clean  and  to  the  unclean  ;  to  him  that  sacrificetii, 
and  to  him  that  sacrificetii  not ;  as  is  the  good,  so  is  the 
sinner  ;  and  he  that  sweareth  as  he  that  feareth  an  oath." 

But  his  spirit  being  different  from  the  spirit  of  the  world, 
through  the  abounding  grace  given  to  him  ;  this  makes  a 
prodigious  difference,  in  all  these  circumstances,  between 
liim  and  the  man  walking  after  the  course  of  this  world. 


188 


CHRTSTIAX  TRUTH 


First,  he  sees  that  all  things  are  divinely  ordered  and 
appointed  in  infinite  wisdom  and  love.  "  Promotion  Com- 
eth neither  from  the  east  nor  the  west,  nor  from  the  north 
or  the  south  ;  but  God  is  the  Judge,  lie  putteth  down  one 
and  settetli  up  another.  Of  him,  and  through  him,  and  to 
him,  are  all  things.  And  this  is  not  a  mere  fact  of  sovereignty 
and  power,  but  there  is  a  special  appointment  of  holy  love 
and  heavenly  wisdom,  designing  in  all  things  the  highest 
good  of  him  who  believes  in  the  Lord.  "  The  steps  of  a 
good  man  are  ordered  by  the  Lord,  and  he  delighteth  in  his 
way.  Though  he  fall,  he  shall  not  he  utterly  cast  down,  for 
the  Lord  upholdeth  him  with  his  hand." 

This  at  once  changes  the  character  of  every  situation  to 
the  Christian.  He  sees,  that  if  he  has  power  and  authoritj^, 
talents  or  knowledge,  entrusted  to  him,  they  are  given  that 
he  may  be  a  minister  of  God  to  others  for  good,  and  thus 
he  is  preserved  from  the  intoxicating  spirit  of  eminent 
station.  If  he  be  left  in  poverty  and  affliction,  he  is  assured 
that  it  is  only  that  he  may  the  more  glorify  God  in  them, 
and  have  a  fuller  reward  hereafter  ;  "  our  light  affliction, 
which  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  out  for  us  a  far  more 
exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory." 

Infirmity  itself  thus  changes  to  him  its  very  natui'e.  The 
grace  of  Christ  imparted  with  it,  and  his  strength  made 
perfect  in  our  weakness,  the  mature  Christian  can  say, 
"  Most  gladly  therefore,  will  I  rather  glory  in  my  infirm- 
ities, that  the  power  of  Christ  may  rest  upon  me  ;  there- 
fore I  take  pleasure  in  infirmities,  in  reproaches,  in  neces- 
sities, in  persecutions,  in  distresses  for  Christ's  sake  :  for 
when  I  am  weak  then  am  I  strong." 

In  all  outward  things,  then,  there  may  be  great  similarity 
between  the  state  of  the  righteous  and  the  wicked  ;  or  even 
the  afflictions  of  the  righteous  may  be  many,  and  abound  : 
the  real  difference  here  is  in  the  spirit  in  which  events  are 
received.  This  makes  that  which  is  peculiarly  the  subject 
of  God's  commendation  or  condemnation,  the  inward  cha- 
racter of  a  man,  of  such  immense  importance.  This  is 
what  may  be  attended  to  by  us  in  all  situations,  what  may 


CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGES. 


189 


make  us  miserable  or  happy  in  all  circumstances  ;  what 
leaves  the  wicked  without  excuse  from  their  fancied  diffi- 
culties of  serving  God  ;  for  it  will  be  found  in  the  day  of 
Christ  that  others  in  the  self-same  difficulties  have  served 
the  Lord,  and  liave  been  happy  in  his  service.  Thus  the 
gospel  gives  us  to  be  blessed  now,  however  we  may  be  situ- 
ated, as  well  as  blessed  for  ever.  See  in  the  beatitudes 
(Matt.  V.  ] — ]2.)  in  what  consists  the  true  description  of 
privileges  and  blessings  :  inward  poverty  of  spirit,  mourn- 
ing, meekness,  hungering  and  tliirsting  after  righteousness, 
being  merciful,  pure  in  heart,  and  a  peacemaker,  and  even 
in  being  persecuted  for  righteousness'  sake  !  To  see  this 
indeed  requires  us  to  know  and  believe  God's  word,  and  to 
prefer  the  truth  set  before  us  by  tliat  woi-d  to  our  own 
carnal  wisdom.  Hence  faith  is  the  very  root  and  spring  of 
all  right  views,  and  tiie  most  important  of  all  graces  in 
gaining  heavenly  wisdom. 

Well  has  the  poet  Cowper  expressed  the  privileges  even 
in  this  life  of  him  who  receives  the  truth  of  God  : 

'  He  is  the  freeman  whom  the  truth  makes  free, 
And  all  are  slaves  beside.   There's  not  a  chaia 
That  hellish  foes,  confederate  for  his  harm. 
Can  wind  around  him,  but  he  casts  it  off 
With  as  much  ease  as  Samson  his  green  withes. 
He  looks  abroad  into  the  varied  field 
Of  nature,  anil  thout^h  poor  perhaps  compared 
With  those  whose  mansions  glitter  in  his  sight, 
Calls  the  delightful  scenery  all  his  own. 
His  are  the  mountains,  and  the  vallies  his, 
And  the  resplendent  rivers ;  his  to  enjoy 
With  a  propriety  that  none  can  feel, 
But  who  with  filial  confidence  inspired. 
Can  lift  to  heaven  an  unpresumptuous  eye. 
And  smiling  say,  '  My  Fattier  made  them  all.' 
Are  they  not  his  by  a  peculiar  right. 
And  by  an  emphasis  of  interest  his. 
Whose  eye  they  fill  with  tears  of  holy  joy. 
Whose  heart  with  praise  ;  and  whose  exalted  mind 
With  worthy  thouKhts  of  that  unwearied  love 
That  planned  and  built,  and  still  upholds  a  world 
So  clothed  with  beauty,  for  rebellious  man  1 ' 


190 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Prayer  to  look  at  things  unseen. 

0  my  God,  who  hast  made  all  things,  and  didst  design 
every  thing;  for  thy  glory,  and  to  be  a  means  of  good  to 
those  that  serve  thee,  I  pray  thee  that  I  may  so  trust  in 
and  love  thee,  that  all  things  may  work  together  for  my 
good  ;  that  I  may  so  look,  not  at  the  things  which  are  seen, 
but  at  the  things  which  are  unseen,  that  the  light  and 
momentary  afflictions  of  this  life  may  never  cast  me  down 
in  despondency,  but  work  out  for  me  a  far  more  exceeding 
and  eternal  weight  of  glory,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord. 

2.  THE  VARIED  SPIRITUAL  STATE  OF  A  CHRISTIAN. 

The  scriptures  speak  very  highly  of  the  believer's  present 
state.  Many  and  precious  are  the  names  by  which  he  is 
called  :  elect,  holy,  beloved,  a  son  of  God,  his  heir,  his 
house,  a  king  and  priest  unto  God,  the  light  of  the  world, 
and  the  salt  of  the  earth  ;  these  are  only  some  of  the  titles 
by  which  he  is  distinguished  from  others. 

The  source  of  all  his  blessedness  is  the  free  love  of  his 
heavenly  Father.  "  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  for  his 
great  love  wherewith  he  loved  us,  hath  quickened  us  toge- 
ther with  Christ  (by  grace  ye  are  saved),  and  hath  raised 
us  up  together,  and  made  us  sit  together  in  heavenly  places 
in  Christ  Jesus. 

We  shall  have  a  clearer  view,  however,  of  this  state,  and 
of  his  rich  privileges  in  it,  if  we  remember  that  the  scrip- 
tures distinguish  between  diff^erent  stages  of  the  Christian 
life.  There  is  not  only  the  natural  man,  who  neither 
receives  nor  knows  the  things  of  God  ;  but  there  is  also  the 
man  who  is  comparatively  carnal,  and  only  a  babe  in 
Christ ;  and  the  spiritual  man,  who  discerneth  all  things, 
yet  is  himself  discerned  of  no  man.  St.  John  distinguishes 
Christians  into  three  classes  ;  little  children,  young  men, 
and  fathers.  Our  Lord  compares  also  the  kingdom  of  God 
to  seed  in  the  ground  ;  "  first  the  blade,  then  the  ear,  after 
that  the  full  corn  in  the  ear." 


CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGES. 


191 


Let  us,  then,  view  these  privileges  in  tlieir  varied  states. 
The  apostle  first  states  the  general  privilege  of  ALL  Chris- 
tians, as  children.  "  Your  sins  are  forgiven  you  for  his 
name's  sake."  This  belongs  to  all,  without  exception,  even 
to  the  youngest  in  the  school  of  Christ.  It  is  the  doctrine 
of  his  forgiving  love  that  does  indeed  especially  attract  and 
win  the  soul.  "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  which  taketh 
away  the  sin  of  the  world.  Christ  dying  for  our  sins  ; 
redemption  through  his  blood,  the  forgiveness  of  sins  accord- 
ing to  the  riches  of  his  grace  ;  this  is  the  all-powerful  and 
invincible  truth  that  stamps  infamy  on  sin,  loveliness  on 
holiness,  and  leads  the  soul  to  delight  in  God.  This  is  to 
be  declared  first  of  all  ;  and  this  fills  the  child  of  God, 
apprehending  it  by  faith,  with  joy  and  peace  in  believing. 

The  direct  and  immediate  privilege  of  little  children 
in  the  gospel  (the  word  translated  children  is  different  in 
verse  13  from  that  in  verse  12)  is  "knowledge  of  the 
Father."  The  natural  view  men  have  of  God  is  that  of 
severity  and  hardness,  gendering  bondage  :  one  of  the  first 
blessings  that  we  gain  by  the  gospel  is  to  see  that  God's 
name  is  love,  and  receiving  the  spirit  of  adoption,  to  be 
enabled  to  cry  to  him  "  Abba,  Father."  The  sweetness  of 
filial  confidence  and  affection,  the  delight  of  looking  to  the 
great  God  with  reverential  fi-eedom  and  love  is  here  inti- 
mated. What  tongue  can  tell  tlie  light,  and  peace,  and 
joy,  and  love  to  be  found  in  the  knowledge  of  him,  in  whose 
presence  is  fulness  of  joy. 

The  privileges  of  the  young  men  are  threefold,  all  imply- 
ing establishment  in  the  ways  of  Christ.  First,  they  are 
"  strong  ;"  settled  and  established  :  the  little  children  are 
liable  to  be  carried  about  with  every  wind  of  doctrine : 
being  confident  in  their  own  strength  they  are  especially 
exposed  to  danger  ;  but  the  young  having  been  taught  their 
own  weakness  by  sad  experience,  and  where  their  true 
strength  lies,  are  "  strong  in  the  Lord  and  in  the  power  of 
his  might,"  and  thus  are  saved  from  many  temptations  by 
which  they  miglit  fall.  Their  conscious  weakness  becomes 
real  strength.  "  The  word  of  God  "  also  "  abideth  in  them." 


192 


CHRISTIA.V  TRUTH  : 


It  is  comparatively  but  little  of  that  heavenly  treasure  that 
the  babe  in  Christ  has  received.  The  young  man  having; 
found  its  value  as  a  light  to  his  feet,  a  two-edged  sword  for 
his  arm,  an  unfailing  treasure  to  enrich  his  soul,  a  sure 
and  perfect  gui  le  in  all  his  difficulties,  meditates  more  con- 
stantly on  it  ;  he  desires  to  fulfil  the  direction,  "  let  the 
■word  of  Christ  dwell  in  you  richly  in  all  spiritual  wisdom 
and  understanding."  The  privilege  is  of  this  character, 
walking  in  a  way  difficult  to  find,  in  the  fuU  light  of  the 
sun,  rather  than  with  the  glimmering  taper  of  man's 
making ;  with  a  growing  assurance  that  we  are  in  the 
right  path.  Once  more,  young  men  "  have  overcome  the 
wicked  one."  Satan  easily  beguiles  a  babe  with  fancied 
good,  and  easily  stumbles  him  with  manifested  evil.  It 
is  not  so  with  the  young  man.  For  every  one  that  useth 
mQk  "  merely,  "  is  unskilful,"  or  unexperienced,  "  in  the 
■word  of  righteousness,  for  he  is  a  babe  ;  but  strong  meat," 
the  word  of  God  in  its  deeper  and  fuller  truths,  "  belongeth 
to  them  that  are  of  full  age,  even  those  who,  by  reason  of 
use.  have  their  senses  exercised  to  discern  both  good  and 
evil."  Hence  he  knows  how  to  wield  the  sword  of  the 
spirit,  and  resisting  the  devil  by  prayer  and  the  word  of 
God,  gains  the  victory  again  and  again.  The  wiliness  of 
the  serpent,  and  the  roar  of  the  lion,  are  equally  unavailing 
to  overthrow  him  who  takes  the  divinely-provided  armour 
for  his  defence  and  his  warfare.  The  privilege  here  is,  not 
merely  security  from  our  spiritual  enemies,  but  also  victory 
over  them. 

We<ome,  lastly,  to  the  privilege  of  the  fathers.  Their 
peculiar  privilege  is,  indeed,  but  one  ;  but  that  one  is  all  in 
all,  and  therefore  it  is  repeated  by  the  apostle,  as  really 
comprehending  every  thing.  "  Ye  have  known  him  that 
is  from  the  beginning."'  He  had  commenced  his  epistle 
■with  thus  describing  Jesus,  the  word  of  life,  manifested  to 
men,  that  they  might  have  fellowship  with  the  Father  and 
■with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ.  Oh  how  precious  it  is  to  see 
that  Christ  is  the  sum  of  saving  knowledge  '  Hence,  ad- 
vanced as  the  Ephesians  were,  the  apostle's  prayer  was 


CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGES. 


193 


that  they  might  "  be  able  to  comprehend  with  all  saints, 
what  is  the  breadth,  and  length,  and  depth,  and  height, 
and  to  know  the  love  of  Christ  which  passeth  knowledge." 
There  ai'e  "  unsearchable  riclies  of  Christ,"  and  on  them 
the  mature  Christian  meditates  ;  by  these  he  is  daily  en- 
riched and  made  happy.  He  has  been  compelled  by  his 
varied  necessities,  falls,  conflicts,  sorrows  and  perplexities, 
to  make  use  of  Christ  in  all  his  offices,  and  he  has  found  a 
fulness  in  him  suited  to  all  his  wants.  To  him  Christ  is 
the  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  ending  ;  the 
full  rest  of  his  soul  ;  his  joy  and  strength,  wisdom,  righ- 
teousness, sanctification  and  redemption. 

Fraijer  for  growth  in  grace. 

0  my  heavenly  Father,  who  has  opened  in  thy  word  such 
boundless  treasures  of  grace  for  thy  people,  I  entreat  Thee 
to  multiply  upon  me  thy  grace  and  peace.  Let  me  never 
be  content  with  the  mere  name  of  Christian,  or  rest  satis- 
fied in  present  attainments  ;  but  feeling  my  great  spiri- 
tual poverty  and  necessities,  and  the  riches  of  thy  grace, 
and  the  freedom  of  tliy  love,  may  I  covet  earnestly  the 
best  gifts,  and  seek  daily  to  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  know- 
ledge of  Clirist,  and  to  comprehend  more  with  all  thy  saints 
that  breadth,  and  length,  and  depth,  and  height  of  tlie  love 
of  Christ  which  passeth  knowledge,  that  I  may  be  filled 
with  all  the  fulness  of  God.  Hear  me  speedily,  and  answer 
me  for  my  Redeemer's  sake. 


3.  HIS  ORDINARY  SPIRITUAL  PRIVILEGES. 

The  Christian  here  is  in  a  school  in  which  he  is  training 
up  for  his  father's  liouse,  "  and  differeth  nothing  from  a 
servant,  though  he  be  Lord  of  all "  through  that  divine 
Redeemer,  who  is  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords,  "  but 
he  is  under  tutors  and  governors,  till  tlie  time  appointed 
of  his  Father."  Many  tokens  of  parental  love  he  receives, 
but  he  has  not  yet  reached  his  Father's  house  :  many  an 
earnest,  many  a  foretaste  and  token,  he  has  of  parental  love. 


194 


CHETSTIAN  TRUTH  : 


— but  he  lias  still  to  address  him,  as  "  Our  Father  which 
art  in  heaven,"  and  has  not  the  privilege  yet  of  seeing  him 
face  to  face,  with  whom  he  is  to  dwell  for  ever. 

But  what  are  his  ordinary  spiritual  privileges  ?  You 
will  find  a  most  glowing  and  enlivening  statement  of  them 
in  the  first  part  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians.  What  a 
rich  enumeration  of  privileges  and  blessings  are  there  set 
before  us,  beginning  with  that  triumphant  summary  of  the 
whole  in  praise  to  the  great  Giver  !  "  Blessed  be  the  God 
and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  blessed  us 
with  all  spiritual  blessings  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ 
Jesus,  according  as  he  hath  chosen  us  in  him  before  the 
foundation  of  the  world,  that  we  should  be  holy  and  with- 
out blame  before  him  in  love,  having  predestinated  us  unto 
the  adoption  of  children  by  Jesus  Christ  to  himself,  accord- 
ing to  the  good  pleasure  of  his  will,  to  the  praise  of  the 
glory  of  his  grace,  wherein  he  hath  made  us  accepted  in 
the  beloved." 

What  amazing  privileges  are  here  set  before  us  I  How 
should  they  excite  in  us  ardent  desires  after  the  full  bless- 
edness of  the  Christian  !  The  church  of  England  sets  them 
before  us  in  these  words  :  "  Predestination  to  life  is  the 
everlasting  purpose  of  God,  whereby  (before  the  founda- 
tions of  the  world  were  laid)  he  hath  constantly  decreed 
by  his  counsel,  secret  to  us,  to  deliver  fi'om  curse  and  dam- 
nation those  whom  he  hath  chosen  in  Christ  out  of  man- 
kind, and  to  bring  them  by  Christ  to  everlasting  salvation 
as  vessels  made  to  honour.  Wherefore  they  which  be  en- 
dued with  so  excellent  a  benefit  of  God,  be  called  according 
to  God's  purpose  by  his  Spirit  vi-orking  in  due  season  :  they 
through  grace  obey  the  calling  ;  they  be  justified  freely  ; 
they  be  made  sons  of  God  by  adoption  ;  they  be  made  like 
the  image  of  his  only-begotten  Son  Jesus  Christ ;  they  walk 
religiously  in  good  works,  and  at  length  by  God's  mercy 
they  attain  to  everlasting  felicity." 

The  happiness  to  which  they  are  called  is  nothing  less 
than  to  share  in  God's  own  happiness  ;  they  are  said  to  be 
"  heirs  of  God  : "  the  expression  is  remarkable.  God 


CnEISTIAN  PRIVILEGES. 


195 


himself  tlieir  ultimate  possession  ;  thus  David  writes, 
"The  Lord  is  the  portion  of  mine  inheritance,  and  of  my 
cup  ;  thou  maintainest  my  lot."  How  great  and  good, 
then,  the  godly  man's  portion  !  He  has  the  fulness  of 
God's  wisdom,  power,  love,  riches,  presence,  and  glory,  to 
make  him  for  ever  happy.  He  is  invited  to  cast  all  his 
cares  on  him  that  careth  for  him,  and  to  pour  out  every 
desire  into  his  Father's  bosom.  God  in  his  providence  go- 
verns all  things  for  the  final  blessedness  of  those  who  trust 
in  him  and  are  upright  with  him.  In  God  there  is  all  the 
Almighty  Father,  as  a  friend,  a  sun,  and  a  shield  ;  there 
is  all  the  divine  Saviour,  our  light  and  our  life  ;  our  Head 
and  our  Brother  ;  our  King  and  our  Husband  ;  there  is  all 
the  Holy  Spirit  as  Guide  and  Sanctifier,  imparting  to  us 
truth  and  holiness,  comfort  and  conformity  to  God,  and 
that  for  Qver  and  ever. 

To  enter  into  the  full  description  of  the  Christian's  pri- 
vileges would  be  to  transcribe  the  Bible ;  for  the  Bible  is 
the  book  of  Christian  privileges.  All  its  history  ;  all  its 
threaten ings,  all  its  warnings,  and  all  its  precepts,  all  its 
types,  all  its  predictions,  as  well  as  all  its  doctrines  and  its 
promises,  are  the  records  of  a  Christian's  mercies  and  bless- 
ings ;  so  that  we  must  say  of  all,  whether  "  things  present 
or  things  to  come,  all  are  your's,  and  ye  are  Christ's,  and 
Christ  is  God's."  Study  well  the  three  first  chapters  of  the 
Ephesiuns  if  you  would  understand  the  full  privileges  of  a 
child  of  God.  See  the  present  blessings  liow  great  they 
are,  and  then  remember  tliat  tiiey  are  both  the  seal  and  the 
earnest  of  our  future  inheritance. 

Meditation. 

And  are  such  rich  privileges  set  before  me  in  the  Word 
of  God  1  And  why  are  they  there  exliibited  ?  Surely  to 
excite  my  desire  after  them  ;  to  lead  me  to  prize  them,  and 
to  seek  them  in  God's  appointed  way.  And  is  there  a  pos- 
sibility of  my  attaining  them  1  Assuredly  there  is  not 
only  this  possibility,  but  an  absolute  certainty  ;  if  I  seek  I 
shall  find.     Nay,  it  is  inexcusable  folly,  self-destruction, 

O  2 


193 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


and  most  horrible  wickedness,  if  I  refuse  God's  gracious 
invitation,  and  neglect  so  great  salvation.  God  himself 
testifies  :  "  Turn  you  at  my  reproof  :  behold  I  will  pour 
my  Spirit  upon  you,  I  will  make  known  my  words  unto 
you."  Let  me  turn,  then,  away  at  once  from  all  other 
attractions  tliat  this  vain  world  presents,  and  with  my 
whole  heart  turn  to  him  who  thus  invites  me. 

4.  HIS  SPECIAL  PRIVILEGES. 

When  a  beloved  child  is  suffering  pain,  its  mother  re- 
doubles her  care,  tenderness,  and  affection,  and  pays  more 
attention  to  that  child  than  to  all  her  other  children  ;  when 
that  child  is  young,  and  helpless,  and  feeble,  it  occupies 
special  consideration  and  care.  So  it  is  with  Christians. 
The  time  of  affliction  is  the  time  ordinarily  of  spe- 
cial CONSOLATION.  It  is  the  title  which  our  heavenly 
Parent  takes  to  himself :  "  God  who  comforteth  those  who 
are  cast  dovrn."  It  is  not  indeed,  always  the  time  of  sen- 
sible comfort.  The  Son  of  God  himself  in  the  midst  of 
his  deepest  woe  on  the  cross  had  to  say,  "  My  God,  my 
God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken  me  ; "  but  in  such  a  case 
there  is  a  special  secret  support  giving  strength  to  carry 
the  soul  through  all  the  season  of  temptation,  and  make  it 
finally  and  eminently  blessed  through  the  fiery  trial  : 
so  that  "  the  sufferings  of  the  present  time  are  not  worthy 
to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  be  revealed  iu 
us."  There  are  special  blessings,  also,  in  the  season  of  af- 
fliction. Christian  knowledge  is  enlarged,  patience  has  its 
perfect  work,  humility  is  deepened,  experience  grows  ma- 
ture, the  vessel  of  mercy  becomes  capable,  if  we  may  say 
so,  of  containing  larger  and  fuller  treasures  of  grace  and 
love,  conformity  to  God  is  promoted,  and  our  future  glory 
is  greatly  increased. 

Disappointment  of  worldly  plans,  loss  of  property,  re- 
putation, and  even  of  dear  relatives  and  friends,  the  failure 
of  our  fairest  earthly  prospects,  may  all  be  tokens  for  good  ; 
each  may  in  its  gracious  design  and  tendency  be  the  very 


CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGE?. 


197 


kindest  thing  God  could  do  to  us,  and  thus  afflictions 
themselves  become  privileges.  Do  we  count  it  a  privilege 
when  ill,  to  have  the  most  skilful  physician,  even  though 
his  medicine  be  distasteful,  and  his  remedies  painful  1  It 
is  only  a  part  of  the  process  needful  to  our  perfect  cure. 
Let  us,  then,  by  faith  realize  the  blessed  truth  that  though 
affliction  is  not  pleasant  but  grievous,  it  is  in  truth  sent  in 
love,  and  really  works  for  good  to  those  who  see  God's  hand 
and  love  in  it.  Be  sure  of  the  skill  and  love  of  your  soul's 
Physician. 

And  if  this  be  true  of  all  the  sufferings  through  which 
the  Christian  passes,  it  is  yet  farther,  and  in  a  higher  sense 
true  of  SUFFERING  FOR  Christ's  sake.  Very  plainly 
does  our  Lord  state  this  as  the  last,  and  as  it  were  tlie 
highest  of  the  beatitudes  of  his  people  :  "  Blessed  are  they 
which  are  persecuted  for  righteousness'  sake,  for  their's  is 
the  kingdom  of  heaven."  And  very  clearly  does  the 
apostle  state  this  to  be  a  peculiar  privilege  of  specially- 
favoured  disciples  :  "  Unto  you  it  is  given  in  the  behalf  of 
Christ,  not  only  to  believe  on  him,  but  also  to  suffer  for  his 
sake."  Were,  indeed,  our  faith  to  rise  more  to  the  con- 
templation of  things  unseen,  and  to  the  coming  kingdom 
and  glory,  we  should  see  that  reproach,  and  distresses,  and 
afflictions  for  Christ's  sake,  which  can  only  be  endured  in 
the  short  season  of  this  life,  will  furnish  so  many  bright 
jewels  of  glory  in  that  crown  of  life  which  the  redeemed 
will  hereafter  wear.  We  should  enter  more  into  that  just 
estimate  to  which  the  apostle  comes  when  he  says,  "  I 
reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  time  are  not 
worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory  which  shall  be  re- 
vealed in  us."  0  Christian  reader,  let  us  have  faith  in 
God's  promises,  and  have  respect  to  the  recompense  of 
reward.  Let  us  be  bold  in  confessing  our  Redeemer  before 
men.  It  may  be  very  distasteful  and  unwelcome  to  men 
now,  but  many  a  soul  may  thus  be  gained  for  Christ,  who 
shall  be  your  joy  and  crown  of  rejoicing  in  the  day  of  his 
appearing.  Far  better  is  it  to  be  reproached  now  by  men 
with  every  odious  name,  for  fidelity  to  Christ,  than  to  be 


198 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


numbered  among  those  of  whom  he  says,  "  Whosoever 
shall  be  ashamed  of  me  and  of  my  words,  of  him  shall  the 
Son  of  man  be  ashamed  when  he  shall  come  in  his  own 
glory,  and  his  Father's,  and  with  the  holy  angels."  Yes, 
rather  let  us  so  confess  him  now  in  the  midst  of  his  ene- 
mies, that  many  of  those  enemies  may  be  won  to  his  king- 
dom, and  he  may  confess  us  before  his  Father  in  heaven. 

But  there  are  privileges  belonging  not  only  to  the  af- 
flicted, but  also  to  the  mature  christian.  There  is  a 
ripeness  and  maturity  of  grace  set  before  us  in  the  word  of 
God.  It  is  clear  that  we  are  encouraged  to  seek  the  at- 
tainment of  this  character  in  the  Christian  life.  The 
apostle  says,  "  We  speak  wisdom  among  them  that  are 
perfect."  He  tells  the  Ephesians  that  the  ministry  is  given 
that  we  may  "  come  to  a  perfect  man,  to  the  measure  of 
the  stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ."  It  is  still  a  growing 
state.  "  Not  as  though  I  had  already  attained,  either 
were  already  perfect,  but  I  follow  after,  if  that  I  may  ap- 
prehend that  for  which  also  I  am  apprehended  of  Christ 
Jesus." 

For  this  state  strong  meat  is  provided.  "  Strong  meat 
belongeth  unto  them  that  are  of  full  age,  even  those  who 
by  reason  of  use  have  their  senses  exercised  to  discern  both 
good  and  evil."  There  is  a  growing  knowledge  of  divine 
truth,  and  an  enlarged  insight  into  the  fulness  of  the  scrip- 
tures. There  is  a  "  perfect  love  that  casteth  out  fear  ,  " 
there  is  a  special  witness  of  the  Spirit  to  those  in  this 
state.  "  The  Spirit  itself  beareth  witness  with  our  spirits 
that  we  are  the  children  of  God  ;  and  if  children  then 
heirs,  heirs  of  God  and  joint  heirs  with  Jesus  Christ,  if  so 
be  that  we  suffer  with  him,  that  we  may  be  also  glorified 
together," 

It  is  the  higher  stage  of  Christian  experience  and  bless- 
edness, witli  which  God  rewards  his  faithful  people,  that 
we  ought  to  press  after  ;  like  Thyatira,  let  our  "  last  work 
be  more  than  the  first."  Oh  let  us  be  assured  there  is  a 
fulness  of  reward  and  blessedness  in  the  gospel  far  beyond 
any  which  we  have  yet  reached.    Let  the  apostolic  exhor- 


CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGES. 


199 


tation  quicken  all  our  diligence.  "  Look  to  yourselves  that 
we  lose  not  those  things  which  we  have  wrought,  but  that 
we  receive  a  full  reward." 

Even  then  in  this  life  there  is  a  fulness  and  maturity  of 
Christian  privilege  after  which  we  should  seek.  "  Those 
that  be  planted  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  shall  flourish  in 
the  courts  of  our  God.  They  shall  still  bring  forth  fruit  in 
old  age,  they  shall  be  fat  and  flourishing. 

How  extensive  is  the  influence  of  an  established  Chris- 
tian, who  by  his  good  conversation  in  Christ  has  put  to 
shame  the  false  accusations  of  the  wicked,  and  lived  down, 
if  we  may  so  say,  the  prejudices  and  calumnies  with  which 
he  was  assailed  in  his  earlier  years  !  What  honour  God 
puts  upon  such  a  character  hy  making  him  widely  useful! 
We  have  seen  in  our  own  country  again  and  again  that 
"  the  hoary  head  is  a  crown  of  glory,  if  it  be  found  in  the 
way  of  righteousness." 

Meditation. 

Let  me  count  the  cost  well.  Suffering  is  the  portion  of 
God's  most  faithful  and  favoured  people.  Let  me  not  ex- 
pect an  easy  and  quiet  course  in  the  straight  and  narrow 
path.  Friends  and  relatives,  my  carnal  heart,  and  an  en- 
snaring world  and  Satan,  full  of  malignity,  will  strive 
with  mighty  power  against  the  life  of  faith.  But  look  to 
the  joyful  close  ;  look  to  the  marriage-supper  of  the 
Lamb,  and  be  content,  0  my  soul,  to  suffer  now  and  reign 
then. 

5.  THE  FUTURE  HOPE  OF  THE  CHRISTIAN. 

While  we  have  seen  that  the  Christian  has  a  real  though 
spiritual  blessedness  in  this  life,  it  is  the  future  glory  re- 
vealed to  the  eye  of  faith  which  truly  makes  this  jiowerful 
and  effectual  to  his  present  happiness,  so  that  the  apostle 
says,  when  he  is  about  to  describe  the  full  glory  of  the  re- 
surrection, "  if  in  this  life  only  we  have  hope,  we  are  of 
all  men  most  miserable."    It  is  the  sure  hope  of  glory  that 


200 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


is  the  anclior  within  the  vail,  and  the  lielmet  of  salvation 
in  the  day  of  battle. 

The  Christian  is  day  by  day  advancing  towards  the  en- 
joyment of  his  great  hope  ;  he  is  more  preparing  for  it,  and 
he  has  brighter  and  clearer  evidence  from  growing  simpli- 
city of  faith  in  the  truth  of  God's  word,  that  this  hope  is 
well-founded. 

What,  then,  is  the  hope  of  the  Christian  ?  To  see  this 
we  must  consider  what  is  clearly  revealed  iu  God's  word. 
It  is  plain  from  that  word  that  the  present  state  of  things 
is  temporary ;  "  the  world  passeth  away  and  the  lust 
thereof."  It  is  plain  that  the  present  time  is  a  day  of 
grace  and  not  a  day  of  judgment ;  sinners  are  not  imme- 
diately punished,  but  endured  with  much  long-suffering. 
It  is  farther  plain  that  a  day  of  judgment  is  soon  coming, 
when  each  must  give  account  of  himself  to  God,  and  the 
wicked  go  away  into  everlasting  punishment.  Now  the 
Christian  having  been  awakened  to  his  true  state  as  a 
sinner,  and  led  in  this  day  of  salvation  to  the  throne  of 
grace,  has  there  obtained  mercy  and  found  grace  to  help  in 
time  of  need.  He  has  fled  to  Jesus,  who  delivers  us  from 
the  wrath  to  come ;  and  in  whom  whosoever  believes 
shall  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life,  and  through 
Christ  he  has  obtained  those  blessings  which  we  have  al- 
ready noticed. 

His  hope  is  then  to  be  accounted  worthy  to  escape  all 
those  things  that  shall  come  to  pass,  and  to  stand  before  the 
Son  of  Man.  "  For  the  Son  of  Man  shall  come  in  his 
glory,  and  all  his  holy  angels  with  him,  and  before  him 
shall  be  gathered  all  nations."  His  hope  is  to  be  accepted 
in  that  day,  and  not  only  accepted,  but  to  share  its  full 
bliss  and  glories,  including  an  inheritance  incorruptible, 
undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away. 

Let  us  survey  this  hope  in  some  of  its  parts.  There  is, 
first,  THE  RETURN  OF  OUR  REDEEMER  to  our 
world  ;  and  that  is  so  leading  a  part,  that  the  Christian  is 
now  said  to  be  "  looking  for  that  blessed  hope,  and  the 
glorious  appearing  of  the  great  God  and  our  Saviour  Jesus 


CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGES. 


201 


Christ.  What  can  be  more  deliglitful  to  him  wlio  feels 
that  he  owes  the  escaping  of  all  evil,  and  the  obtaining  of 
every  good,  present  or  to  come,  to  the  love  of  Christ,  than 
the  sure  hope  of  his  return,  "  whom  having  not  seen  we 
love,  and  in  whom,  though  now  we  see  him  not,  we  rejoice 
with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory  ?  "  What  will  it 
be  with  all  our  fellow-saints,  who  with  us  have  been  wait- 
ing for  him,  to  welcome,  with  united  songs  of  glory,  his 
appearing,  and  to  sit  down  at  his  table  in  his  kingdom  ! 

Another  part  of  this  hope  is  our  own  glorious  resur- 
rection. Now  our  citizenship  is  in  heaven,  but  that 
heavenly  citizenship  is  yet  in  faith,  hope,  and  love  ;  it  is  a 
spiritual  glory  undiscerned  by  the  natural  eye,  but  it  is  to 
be  revealed  at  the  coming  of  the  Lord  Jesus  from  heaven, 
"  from  whence  also  we  look  for  the  Saviour,  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  shall  change  our  vile  body,  that  it  may  be 
fashioned  like  unto  his  glorious  body,  according  to  the 
working  whereby  he  is  able  even  to  subdue  all  things  to 
himself."  O  the  poor  vanity  of  man,  in  his  humiliation  be- 
decking himself  with  titles  and  ribands,  and  outward  show 
and  splendour,  and  these  things  filling  his  heart  with  ex- 
ultation and  glorying !  It  is  but  a  mock  aspiring  after 
the  glory  to  come,  leaving  us  vain  and  empty.  O  the  solid 
weight  of  glory  preparing  for  the  believer,  when  he  shall 
have  his  body  raised  spiritual,  incorruptible,  and  celestial, 
in  power  and  glory  ;  when  he  shall  be  remembered  with 
the  favour  God  bears  to  his  people,  and  numbered  with 
that  blessed  company  who  having  been  wise  here,  shall 
then  "  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament,"  and  hav- 
ing turned  many  to  righteousness  here,  shall  then  have  an 
unfading  glory  "  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever !  "  This 
part  of  our  hope  includes  not  only  a  body  free  from  all 
weakness,  sickness,  and  decay,  and  infirmity  of  every  kind ; 
no  sun  to  smite  them,  no  heat  to  oppress  them,  no  frost  to 
benumb  them  ;  neither  sorrow  nor  crying,  nor  any  more 
pain  ;  but  in  the  place  of  all  this  the  healing  of  all  evil, 
songs  and  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads  ;  every  faculty, 
every  sense,  every  member  of  the  glorified  body,  perfectly 


202 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


and  joyfully  exerted  to  magnify  the  great  God.  With  this 
the  soul  will  be  perfectly  renewed  after  the  divine  image, 
"  we  shall  be  like  him,  for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is."  Oh 
what  holiness  and  righteousness,  what  wisdom  and  meek- 
ness, what  tenderness  and  compassion,  what  forbearance 
and  long-suffering,  what  patience  and  heavenly-mindedness 
shone  in  our  Redeemer  !  We  shall  bear  this  image  and 
likeness. 

But  why  will  all  this  be  needed  1  Consider  yet  more  the 
GLORIOUS  KINGDOM  they  will  possess.  The  people  of 
Christ  are  to  be  made  by  him  "  kings  and  priests  unto 
God  and  his  Father  ;  "  and  made  "  unto  our  God  kings 
and  priests,  we  shall  reign  on  the  earth."  Crowns  of  life, 
and  righteousness,  and  glory  are  promised  to  them  ;  cities 
are  to  be  subject  to  them.  "  The  people  of  the  saints  of 
the  Most  High  "  shall  have  given  to  them  "  the  kingdom 
and  dominion,  and  the  greatness  of  the  kingdom  under  the 
whole  heaven."  All  their  present  sufferings,  all  the  grow- 
ing maturity  of  their  character  have  an  important  relation 
to  their  future  sovereignty,  just  as  the  burial  of  the  seed  in 
the  earth,  to  its  subsequent  rising  from  the  ground  and 
future  fruitfulness.  There  is  yet  farther  its  everlasting 
DURATION.  Express  is  the  testimony  of  Daniel  :  the 
kingdom  of  the  Most  High  "  is  an  everlasting  kingdom, 
the  saints  of  the  Most  High  shall  take  the  kingdom  and 
possess  the  kingdom  for  ever  and  ever."  Equally  express 
is  the  testimony  of  St.  John  :  "  The  Lord  God  giveth  them 
light,  and  the}'  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever."  And  most 
solemn  is  the  assurance  of  our  Lord,  that,  after  the  judg- 
ment, the  wicked  "  go  away  into  everlasting  punishment, 
but  the  righteous  into  life  eternal."  Glory  everlasting, 
dominion  without  end,  sovereignty  in  perpetuitj-,  is  pro- 
vided then  for  all  God's  children  ;  this  is  their  exalted, 
and  final,  and  full  privilege.  The  immortal  spirit  can  only 
be  satisfied  with  eternal  blessedness,  and  this  God  has  pro- 
mised, and  this  is  the  full  hope  we  should  have.  Indeed 
how  remarkable  it  is  that  the  apostle  places  that  strong 
statement  of  insult  and  mockery  put  by  unbelief  upoa 


CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGES. 


203 


God,  of  calling  him  a  liar,  on  this  ground,  "  not  believing 
the  record  that  God  gave  of  his  Son  ;  "  and  in  that  record 
makes  the  sum  of  the  testimony  to  be  this,  "  God  hath 
given  to  us  eternal  life,  and  this  life  is  in  his  Son." 

Dear  readers,  we  call  you,  whoever  you  are,  to  believe 
then  this  amazing  love  of  God  ;  to  lay  aside  all  your 
enmity  against  him,  and  all  your  unbelief  of  his  truth  ;  to 
repent  of  all  your  hard  and  wicked  thoughts  of  God,  and 
give  him  glory  by  believing  his  loving-kindness  to  your 
soul. 

Meditation. 

And  is  there  such  a  briglit  hope  of  glory  yet  to  come, 
and  yet  attainalile  1  0  sluggish,  earthly-minded  soul,  why 
art  thou  thus  cleaving  to  the  dust  !  Why  art  thou  not 
having  thy  conversation  continually  in  heaven,  full  of  these 
joyful  prospects.  If  hope  be  the  helmet  of  thy  salvation, 
how  canst  tliou  lift  up  thy  head  against  thy  enemies  with- 
out it  ]  If  hope  be  the  anchor  of  thy  soul,  how  canst 
thou  in  all  the  tempests  of  life  be  sure  and  stable,  and  un- 
moveable,  while  this  anchor  is  unused,  and  thy  hope  has 
not  yet  entered  within  the  vail  ?  Lord,  give  me  the  hope 
of  thy  glory,  even  a  good  hope  through  grace. 

6.   THE  COXFERRIXG   OF  THESE  PRIVILEGES. 

If  such  be  the  high  and  glorious  privileges,  how  are  they 
to  be  obtained  ?  how  are  they  communicated  to  us  ?  It  is 
a  question  of  immense  importance,  and  very  clear  is  the 
answer  given  to  us  in  the  word  of  God. 

The  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  he  might  procure  them  all 
for  us,  took  upon  him  our  nature.  "  Great  is  the  mystery 
of  godliness  ;  God  was  manifest  in  the  flesh,  justified  in 
the  spirit,  seen  of  angels,  preached  unto  tiie  Gentiles,  l)e- 
lieved  on  in  the  world,  received  up  into  glory."  Thus  in 
our  nature  was  seen  one  ])erfectly  holy  and  obedient  to 
the  law  of  God  ;  he  fulfilled  that  law  in  every  particular  ; 
he  atoned  for  all  our  trausgressions,  taking  away  the  curse 


204 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


of  the  law  by  being  made  a  curse  for  us,  and  now  by  him 
who  is  God  and  man,  human  nature  "  is  justified  in  the 
spirit,"  and  righteous  before  God.  "  Christ  is  the  end  of 
the  law  for  righteousness  to  every  one  that  believeth." 
The  beginnin?  and  the  sum  of  all  is  the  gift  of  Christ  for 
us  sinners.  "  God  so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his 
only-begotten  Son.  He  spared  not  his  own  Son,  but  de- 
livered him  up  for  us  all.'"  In  this  gift  is  included  all 
other  gifts,  but  more  especially  the  most  precious  gifts  to 
us  sinners,  the  Holy  Spirit  and  eternal  life.  0  that  we 
did  but  ask  for  knowledge  of  these  things  !  Our  Saviour 
told  the  woman  of  Samaria,  '•'  If  thou  knewest  the  gift  of 
God,"'  that  precious  gift  his  only  Son,  thou  wouldest 
have  asked  of  hi  in,  and  he  would  have  given  thee  li^'i^g 
waters."  even  the  Dinne  Spirit.  In  the  same  gift  of  Christ, 
eternal  life  is  also  bestowed  upon  ns :  '•  God  hath  given  us 
eternal  life,  and  this  life  is  in  his  Son  ;  he  that  hath  the 
Son  hath  life."' 

These  privileges  and  blessings  are  in  Christ  Jesus  for  the 
use  of  our  fallen  race,  as  in  a  treasury  to  which  all  are  in- 
vited to  come.  If  any  come  not,  the  fault  is  wholly  in 
themselves,  "  Ye  will  not  come  unto  me  that  ye  may  have 
life."  If  any  come,  the  praise  is  wholly  to  be  ascribed  to 
God,  who  draws  them  by  his  grace.  "  All  that  the  Father 
giveth  me  shall  come  unto  me,  and  him  that  cometh  unto 
me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast  out."  The  Saviour  freely  invites 
the  whole  human  race  :  he  is  sincere  in  the  declaration  of 
his  love  to  all  ;  he  directs  his  ministers  to  preach  the  good 
tidings  to  every  creature,  and  "  whosoever  wUl,  may  take 
of  the  water  of  life  freely."  Christian  reader,  despise  not 
all  this  grace  :  now  in  this  accepted  time  and  in  this  day 
of  salvation  be  ye  reconciled  to  God,  who  shews  such  love 
to  you  as  passes  knowledge.  The  Holy  Spirit  himself  will 
come  to  you  with  all-sufficient  grace,  through  Jesus. 

Do  you  say,  How  am  I  to  receive  these  rich  privileges  ? 
Simplj-  by  faith.  Give  God  credit  for  the  truth  of  his 
word.  Believe  that  he  has  provided  a  Saviour  for  you,  as 
he  has  again  and  again  testified. .  Believe  Goi's  gracious 


CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGES. 


205 


promise  of  his  own  Spirit.  Believe  tliat  all  these  spiritual 
blessings  are  in  Christ  for  you  by  God's  appointment,  as 
your  God  has  again  and  again  assured  you.  Receive 
freely  the  things  freely  given  of  God  ;  "  As  many  as  re- 
ceived him,  to  them  gave  he  power  to  become  the  sons  of 
God,  even  to  them  that  believe  on  his  name."  You  must 
honour  God's  veracity  before  you  can  be  healed  by  his 
truth.  Faith  is  the  spring  both  of  holiness  and  of  comfort. 
You  will  get  neither  while  you  refuse  to  venture  your  hope 
on  the  blessed  word  of  Almighty  God,  and  give  way  to 
those  doubts  and  fears  which  in  truth  proceed  from  the 
enmity  of  a  proud  will,  and  the  carnal  lusts  of  an  evil 
heart,  and  which  are  the  grossest  insult  you  can  put  on 
llim  who  is  truth  itself.  But  you  say, — I  still  cannot 
I'umove  those  doubts,  I  see  the  excellence  of  the  gospel,  and 
long  to  live  in  its  holy  and  happy  lii-ht,  but  I  feel  a  con- 
stant weakness  and  helplessness.  And  what  Christian 
cannot  sympathise  with  you, my  reader?  And  what  is  the 
lesson  ?  Let  David  speak  it.  Read  the  ()2nd  Psalm.  Read 
the  180th  Psalm.  Wait,  wait  on  the  Lord.  You  will  get 
strength  there  imperceptibly,  perhaps,  but  really  and  effi- 
caciously. None  that  ever  waited  patiently  on  the  Lord 
were  ashamed  of  their  hope  :  in  due  time  you  will  have  to 
say,  "  In  God  is  my  salvation  and  my  glory  ;  the  rock  of 
my  strength,  and  my  refuge  is  in  God." 

Prayer  for  a  waiting  spirit. 

0  thou  who  art  tiie  God  of  patience  and  consolation,  and 
the  giver  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift,  draw  my  heart  to 
thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  give  me  to  believe  in  his  name  ;  give 
me  grace  to  Avait  for  him,  and  so  attain  his  salvation  here 
and  his  glory  hereafter.    Hear,  for  his  name's  sake. 

7.  THE  EFFECT  OF  CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGES. 

St  John  beautifully  states  this.  "  Behold  what  manner 
of  love  the  Father  hath  bestowed  upon  us,  that  we  sliould 
be  called  the  sons  of  God  ;  therefore  the  world  knoweth  us 


20(5 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


not,  because  it  knew  him  not.  Beloved,  now  are  we  the 
sons  of  God  ;  and  it  doth  not  yet  appear  what  we  shall  be, 
but  we  know  that  when  he  shall  appear  we  shall  be  like 
him,  for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is  ;  and  every  man  that  hath 
this  hope  in  him  purifieth  himself  even  as  he  is  pure." 
Being  made  like  Christ  is  the  blessed  consequence  of  Chris- 
tian privileges.  Being  in  our  measure  a  blessing  to  others 
by  self-sacrifice;  being  meek,  holy,  humble,  full  of  love, 
spiritual,  pure,  and  heavenly-minded  ;  the  very  epistle  of 
Christ  written  by  the  Spirit  of  the  living  God  :  nothing 
less  than  this  is  the  holy  and  happy  state  to  which  gospel 
grace  calls  all  its  blessed  receivers.  See  in  the  12th,  13th, 
and  14th  chapters  of  Romans,  to  what  a  heavenly  state  of 
mind,  and  to  what  a  pure,  practical,  and  most  holy  life  the 
mercies  of  God  constrain  the  true  Christian. 

The  gospel  raises  us  far  above  all  the  petty,  narrow,  and 
grovelling  objects  of  this  world's  ambition,  such  as  to  be 
great  in  the  e^-es  of  men,  to  have  mere  temporary  pleasures 
of  this  life,  or  accumulate  its  riches.  It  sets  us  also,  by 
its  glorious  and  free  salvation,  at  liberty  from  the  slavish 
spirit  of  working  out  a  righteousness  by  our  own  obedi- 
ence, which  we  can  never  attain,  and  frees  us  from  the 
mere  selfish  consideration  of  seeking  our  own  safety  by  the 
strong  consolation  and  the  good  hope  through  grace  which 
it  gives  to  all  who  have  fled  to  Christ  for  refuge. 

Thus  we  are  free  with  the  freedom  which  the  Son  of 
Man  gives,  to  sow  to  the  Spirit,  to  seek  for  glory,  honour, 
and  immortality  :  to  labour  for  that  crown  of  glory  which 
is  worthy  of  pursuit,  saving  the  souls  of  our  fellow  men, 
and  having  the  joy  in  the  day  of  Christ  of  seeing  countless 
numbers  brought  to  him  through  our  faithful  love. 

0  see,  Christian  reader,  if  the  love  of  Christ  be  not  a 
more  constraining,  quickening,  and  ennobling  principle, 
leading  to  more  self-denial  and  more  devotedness  than  any 
other  ever  presented  to  your  mind.  It  is  this  wonderful 
love  that  makes  us  not  to  live  to  ourselves,  but  to  him  who 
died  for  us.    Taste  this  love  then.    Pray  that  the  Holy 


CHRISTIAN  PRIVILEGES. 


207 


Spirit  may  shed  it  abroad  in  your  hearts,  and  live  in  its 
light  and  warmth  all  your  days. 

Prayer  for  the  experience  of  Christian  Privileges. 

Almighty  Father,  give  me,  I  beseech  thee,  eyes  to  see,  ears 
to  hear,  and  a  lieait  to  understand  and  embrace  the  great 
things  which  thou  hast  freely  given  to  us  in  Christ  Jesus. 
May  I  inherit  that  blessing  of  my  Redeemer,  Blessed  are 
the  eyes  that  see  the  things  that  you  see,  and  the  ears  that 
hear  the  things  that  you  hear.  0  may  I  know  and  believe 
the  joyful  sound,  and  find  in  ray  own  heart  and  life  all  its 
purifying  and  heavenly  power,  through  Jesus  my  Re- 
deemer. Amen. 


203 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  ; 


CHAPTER  XI. 

CHRISTIAN  GRACES. 

1.  The  sermon  on  the  mount — 2.  The  poor  in  spirit — 3.  They  that  mourn — 
4.  The  meek — 5.  The  hungering  and  thirsting — 6.  The  merciful — -7.  The  pure 
in  heart — 8.  The  peace-malters. 

1.  THE  SERMON  ON  THE  MOUNT. 

The  graces  of  the  Christian  form  a  lar/^e  and  extensive 
subject  that  much  exceeds  the  limits  of  this  work.  To  give 
a  brief  account  of  them,  the  beatitudes  with  which  our 
Lord  commenced  his  sermon  on  the  mount,  and  the  tem- 
j)ers  there  commended  and  blessed,  will  alone  be  considered 
in  this  chapter. 

This  sermon  contains,  as  it  were,  the  royal  constitution 
of  the  spiritual  kingdom  of  Clu'ist.  It  sets  before  us  those 
graces  and  that  character  which  are  to  be  attained,  and 
the  conduct  which  is  now  to  be  followed,  in  order  that  we 
may  be  made  meet  to  be  "  partakers  of  the  inheritance  of 
the  saints  in  light."  It  was  given  by  our  Lord,  after  he 
had  chosen  his  apostles,  at  the  commencement  of  his  min- 
istry, to  great  multitudes  of  people,  who  were  gathered 
together  to  hear  him.  We  have,  then,  in  this  discourse, 
the  most  solemn  and  important  instruction  as  to  the  true 
nature  of  the  gospel.  The  preparation  had  been  made  for 
this  sermon  by  the  previous  ministry  of  John  the  Baptist. 
John  the  Baptist  had  been  preaching  in  the  wilderness  of 
Judea,  saying,  "  Repent  ye,  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is 
at  hand."    He  had  been  warning-  the  Pharisees  and  Sad- 


CHRISTIAN  GRACES. 


209 


ducees  to  "  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,"  and  had  been 
proclaiming  that  the  Lord  would  come,  and  that  he  would 
"  burn  up  the  chaff  with  unquenchable  fire." 

Our  Lord  himself  had  been  preacliing  throughout  Ga- 
lilee the  same  preparatory  truth:  "  Repent  ye,  for  the  king- 
dom of  heaven  is  at  hand  ;  "  and  had  been  proving  his  divine 
mission  by  healing  all  manner  of  sickness  and  all  manner 
of  disease. 

Attracted  by  his  miracles,  and  awakened  by  his  alarming 
doctrines,  vast  multitudes  followed  him,  some  to  be  healed 
of  their  diseases,  and  others  to  be  farther  instructed  in  the 
things  of  the  kingdom  of  God.  The  ground  had  thus  been 
ploughed  up,  and  now  our  Lord  casts  in  the  precious  seed 
of  the  word. 

Our  Lord  begins  this  ministry  of  his  gospel  with  bless- 
ings, as  he  closed  all  his  labours  on  earth  with  a  blessing. 
He  came  into  the  world  to  bless  us  ;  and  the  chief  blessings 
and  one  aliove  all  price,  is  that  he  "  turns  away  every  one 
of  us,"  who  look  to  him,  "  from  all  our  iniquities."  You 
will  observe  in  this  description,  that  happiness  is  made  to 
consist  in  the  right  inward  state  of  the  mind.  How  merci- 
ful is  this  !  outward  circumstances  we  cannot  command  or 
controul,  but  the  right  inward  state  of  the  mind  may  be 
gained  under  any  outward  circumstances.  The  graces 
mentioned  are  not  those  which  we  by  nature  think  most 
calculated  to  make  us  blessed ;  but  they  will  be  found  to 
be  so  in  the  Christian's  happy  experience.  They  are  not 
graces  which  we  possess  naturally,  but  they  are  the  work 
of  tlie  divine  Spirit  in  the  heart.  It  is  the  voice  of  in- 
finite wisdom,  almighty  power,  and  boundless  love,  that 
here  speaks,  and  sets  before  us  the  true  path  of  liappincss  ; 
how  gracious  in  our  God  to  give  us  so  pure  and  perfect  a 
guide  ! 

There  are  seven  leading  beatitudes.  After  stating  these, 
our  Lord  describes  the  opposition  which  his  followers  meet 
with  from  the  world,  the  happiness  here  and  hereafter  of 
the  believer  even  amidst  all  his  trials,  and  the  happy  influ- 
ence of  his  character  on  others,  as  "  the  salt  of  the  earth- 


210 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


and  the  light  of  the  world."  The  beatitudes  themselves  are 
as  follows  : — "  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit,  for  their's  is 
the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Blessed  are  they  that  mourn,  for 
they  shall  be  comforted.  Blessed  are  the  meek,  for  they 
shall  inherit  the  earth.  Blessed  are  they  that  hunger  and 
thirst  after  righteousness,  for  they  shall  be  filled.  Blessed 
are  the  merciful,  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy.  Blessed 
are  the  pure  in  heart,  for  they  shall  see  God.  Blessed  are 
the  peace-makers,  for  they  shall  be  called  the  children  of 
God." 

Meditation. 

What  a  cluster  of  blessings,  graces,  and  glories  have  we 
here  set  before  us  !  0  that  I  did  with  full  purpose  of  heart 
seek  after  these  infinitely  desirable  gifts  and  benefits 
received  through  the  gospel.  Lord,  open  my  eyes  to  see 
their  spiritual  beauty  and  desirableness,  and  to  follow  after 
Christ  fully,  and  through  him  attain  them. 

2.  THE  POOR  IN  SPIRIT. 

It  is  remarkable  that  the  Lord  begins  the  account  of  the 
graces  of  his  people  with  this  sense  of  their  need  of  every 
grace.  He  shews  that  the  root  of  all  their  happiness  is  in 
having  their  eyes  opened  to  their  real  need,  their  emptiness 
of  all  good.  Poverty  of  spirit  is  the  feeling  sense  of  utter 
want,  and  entire  helplessness  as  to  the  soul. 

Though  this  be  our  real  state  and  condition  before  God, 
yet  it  is  by  no  means  the  view  which  men  have  of  them- 
selves. Our  natural  views  are  self-complacent  and  self- 
sufficient  ;  and  the  light  of  the  gospel  does  not  of  itself  dis- 
pel this  inward  darkness  of  our  minds  ;  thus  it  was  said 
to  the  church  of  Laodicea,  "  Thou  sayest  I  am  rich,  and 
increased  with  goods,  and  have  need  of  nothing,  and  know- 
est  not  that  thou  art  wretched,  and  miserable,  and  poor, 
and  blind,  and  naked."  The  apostle  had  to  tell  the  Gala- 
tians,  "  If  a  man  thinketh  himself  to  be  something  when 
he  is  nothing,  he  deceiveth  himself."  This  is,  indeed,  a 
growing  grace,  and  marks  the  servants  of  God  in  their  best 


CnniSTIAN  GRACES. 


211 


estate  ;  tlius  Job  at  last  confesses,  "  Behold  I  am  vile,  what 
shall  I  answer  thee  ;  1  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust 
and  ashes."  Isaiah,  in  a  similar  manner,  is  led  to  exclaim, 
"  Woe  is  me !  for  I  am  undone,  because  I  am  a  man  of 
unclean  lips  :  "  and  St.  Paul  testifies,  "  In  me,  that  is  in 
my  flesh,  there  dwelleth  no  good  thing.  I  am  the  chief  of 
sinners." 

Christian  reader,  are  you  brought  to  this  view  of  your- 
self ?  Have  you  been  led  to  see  that  all  these  high  notions 
of  ourselves  as  being  better  than  others,  having  superior 
wisdom,  skill  and  jnanagement ;  or  having  better  conducted 
ourselves  ;  or  that  we  should  have  done  differently,  if  situ- 
ated as  otiiers,  really  arise  from  pride  and  self-ignorance  ; 
that  we  are  "  not  sufficient  of  ourselves  to  think  any  thing 
as  of  ourselves  ;  our  sufficiency  is  of  God  ; "  that,  if  we 
differ  at  all  from  others,  it  is  God  only  that  makes  us  to 
differ,  and  we  have  nothing  but  what  we  have  received  1 
Christian  reader,  do  you  see  that  you  cannot  think  a  good 
thought,  or  will  a  holy  purpose,  or  do  a  good  work,  if  left 
to  yourselves,  according  to  the  positive  testimony  of  your 
Lord,  "  without  me  ye  can  do  nothing  ?  "  And,  in  this 
sense  of  entire  emptiness  of  all  good,  are  you  looking  to 
Jesus,  in  wliom  all  fulness  dwells,  and  entering  into  David's 
feelings  ;  "  The  Lord  is  my  slieplierd,  I  shall  not  want  ?  " 

This  is  poverty  of  spirit  ;  and  to  this  is  annexed  the  pro- 
mise, "  Theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  That  heavenly' 
kingdom  so  much  predicted  in  the  Old  Testament  (Genesis 
xlix.  10.  Psalm  ii.  6—12  ;  Ixxii. ;  Ixxxix.  3,  4,  19—36  ; 
ex.  1 — 4.  Isa.  ix.  6,  7  ;  xxxii,  ;  Dan.  ii.  44 ;  vii.  14,  18, 
22,  27,  &c.  &c.)  belongs  to  those  thus  empty  of  self.  It  is 
for  the  poor  and  needy  ;  it  is  for  the  sinful  and  guilty. 
The  promises  of  it  all  belong  to  them  ;  the  graces  of  it  are 
for  them  ;  the  present  sufferings  of  it  are  for  them  ;  the 
future  glory  is  for  tliem.  They  have  already  been  born 
again,  an  are  renewed  in  spirit  ;  they  are  ready  to  welcome 
its  varied  truths,  and  they  shall  receive  more  and  more  of 
the  divine  Spirit,  who  delights  to  dwell  in  the  humble  and 
contrite  heai-t. 

P  2 


212 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


The  King  of  that  kingdom  is  theirs  to  guide,  govern,  and 
bless  them.  "  He  is  their  hiding  place  from  the  wind,  and 
their  covert  from  the  tempest."  He  is  to  them  as  "  the 
shadow  of  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land,  and  as  rivers  of 
water  in  a  dry  place."  He  gives  them  already  the  earnest 
and  foretaste  of  that  kingdom  in  the  righteousness,  peace 
and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  with  which  he  fills  their  souls. 

This  poverty  of  spirit  only  takes  from  the  soul  the  fancied 
riches  of  the  maniac,  to  bestow  upon  it  the  real  riches  of 
the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Poverty  of  spirit  deprives  the 
soul  of  the  deceitful  vision  of  plenty,  to  bless  it  with  the 
I'eal  provision  for  every  want  in  time  and  through  eternity, 
and  so  it  is  truly  "  blessed."  Chrysostom,  that  father  of 
the  church,  who  has  acquired  the  highest  reputation  for 
holy  eloquence,  says,  '  Humility  is  the  first  lesson  which 
our  divine  Legislator  has  given  to  men.  It  is  with  this 
that  he  opens  his  code  of  salvation  :  "  Be  ye  poor  in  spirit." 
The  architect  who  proposes  to  himself  to  raise  a  lofty  and 
magnificent  edifice,  begins  by  laj'ing  the  foundation  in 
proportion.  Such  is  the  rule  pursued  by  Jesus  Christ ;  to 
the  palace  of  the  sublime  philosophy  he  was  about  to  intro- 
duce upon  the  earth,  he  gives  humility  for  its  base,  well 
knowing  that  when  once  that  virtue  is  thoroughly  seated 
in  the  heart,  all  the  others  will  come  and  range  themselves 
around  her.  Vainly,  on  the  contrary,  might  we  seem 
without  it  to  possess  all  the  rest.  We  should  soon  find  that 
we  had  been  building  on  the  sand,  and  labouring  to  no 
purpose. 

Prayer  for  poverty  of  spirit. 

0  divine  Redeemer,  who  becamest  poor  that  I  might  be 
rich,  I  come  to  thee  to  have  my  eyes  anointed  with  thy 
heavenly  unction,  that  I  may  see  my  real  spiritual  poverty 
and  necessity  ;  my  emptiness  of  all  good,  my  exceeding 
sinfulness  before  God,  and  my  utter  helplessness  in  myself. 
Shew  me  to  myself,  that  I  may  come  to  thee  for  that  grace 
which  thou  hast  in  all  fulness  for  all  my  wants.  Amen 
and  Amen. 


CHRISTIAN  GRACES. 


213 


3.  THEY  THAT  MOURN. 

When  a  man  is  led  to  see  his  own  spiritual  poverty,  then 
he  is  prepared  to  go  further,  and  mourn  over  not  merely 
his  emptiness  of  good,  but  his  proneness  to  that  which  is 
evil,  and  his  departure  from  the  only  good  one,  even  the 
good  and  gracious  Lord  of  all. 

This  is  a  very  different  thing  from  worldly  sorrow. 
Though  it  often  pleases  God  to  bless  the  afflictions  of  this 
life  to  the  spiritual  good  of  his  children  ;  yet  this,  through 
our  corruption,  is  not  the  necessary  effect  of  worldly  sor- 
rows— "  the  sorrow  of  the  world  worketh  death."  '  Who 
is  it,'  asks  Hilary,  an  excellent  father  of  the  fourth  cen- 
tury, and  of  the  French  church,  '  that  Jesus  Christ  thus 
promises  to  indemnify  for  their  sorrows  by  endless  con- 
solation ?  Not  those  who  weep  over  the  loss  of  their  natu- 
ral ties,  or  the  calumnies  to  which  they  have  been  sub- 
jected, or  the  unjust  treatment  they  may  have  received  ; 
but  those  who  weep  on  reflecting  on  the  sins  which  they 
liave  committed.' 

The  mourning  here  pronounced  to  be  blessed  is  a  mourn- 
ing for  sin,  a  mourning  after  God,  of  which  we  have  many 
sweet  examples  in  the  word  of  God.  Thus  the  Israelites 
wept  at  Bochim.  Judges  ii.  5.  Thus  in  the  penitential 
I'salms  (6,  82,  88,  61,  102,  103,  143)  David  mourns,  and  in 
nther  Psalms  (such  as  the  42,  08,  and  84)  you  see  the  holy 
longings  of  the  soul  after  God.  Isaiah  describes  the  Lord 
as  specially  regarding  such  mourners  :  "  Thus  saith  the 
hi^^h  and  lofty  One  that  inhabiteth  eternity,  whose  name 
is  holy,  I  dwell  in  the  high  and  holy  place,  with  him  also 
t  hat  is  of  a  contrite  and  humble  spirit,  to  revive  the  spirit  of 
t  he  humble  and  to  revive  the  hearts  of  the  contrite  ones, 
j-  iir  I  will  not  contend  for  ever  :  1  will  lead  him  also  and 
)  rstore  comforts  unto  him  and  to  his  mourners."  We 
liave  a  beautiful  picture  of  Israel  thus  brought  to  godly 
sorrow.  Jer.  xxxi.  18 — 20.  "  I  have  surely  heard  Epli- 
raim  bemoaning  himself  thus,  Thou  hast  chastened  me, 


214 


CHKISTIAN  TRUTH 


and  I  was  chastened,  as  a  bullock  unaccustomed  to  the 
yoke  ;  turn  thou  me,  and  I  shall  he  turned,  for  thou  art 
the  Lord  my  God.  Surely  after  that  I  was  turned  I  re- 
pented :  I  smote  upon  my  thigh,  I  was  ashamed,  yea 
even  confounded,  because  I  did  bear  the  reproach  of  my 
youth." 

The  Holy  Sph-'it  uses  varied  and  different  means  for 
bringing  the  Christian  to  this  state.  The  majesty,  holi- 
ness, and  purity  of  God  ;  the  goodness,  spirituality,  and 
extent  of  his  law  ;  the  real  knowledge  of  ourselves  and  our 
past  lives  are  important  means  ;  but  the  chief  and  most 
efficacious  is  the  death  of  our  Lord  Christ.  "  They  shall 
look  upon  him  whom  they  pierced,  and  mourn  for  him." 
It  is  this  goodness  of  God  that  leads  sinners  to  godly 
sorrow  and  lively  repentance.  One  who  believes  in  Christ 
"  wounded  for  our  transgressions,"  and  bearing  "  our  sins 
in  his  own  body  on  the  tree,"  is  able  to  see  in  sin  what 
others  cannot.  How  vile,  he  says,  must  my  sins  be,  which 
made  it  necessary  for  the  holy  God  of  love  to  send  his  own 
Son  in  my  nature  to  die  for  me,  before  I  could  be  delivered  ! 
How  abominable  are  hard  thoughts  of  my  God  !  how  evil 
my  lieart,  that  it  should  ever  be  alienated  from  such 
amazing  love  !  How  detestable  is  sin,  which  leads  me  to 
depart  from  God  and  his  word  !  No  where  can  we  so 
weep  for  our  sins  as  at  the  foot  of  the  cross. 

Nor  any  where  else  can  we  be  so  comforted.  "  They 
that  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy  ;"  the  very  relentings 
and  soflenings  of  the  hard  heart,  occasioned  by  the  sight 
of  God's  love  in  giving  his  Son  to  die  for  us,  manifest  the 
removal  of  the  enmity  of  our  carnal  mind,  and  bring  us 
into  a  state  of  sweet  love  and  communion  with  God.  There 
is  joy  even  in  the  sorrows  of  Christians,  as  believers  can 
testify.  They  prefer  the  weeping  for  sin,  the  sighs  of  re- 
pentance and  compunction  of  heart,  to  all  the  joy  they 
ever  had  in  worldly  things.  And  if  it  be  so  even  now, 
what  will  it  be  when  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from 
their  eyes  !  Then,  indeed,  they  "  shall  come  to  Zion  with 
songs,  and  everlasting  joy  upon  their  heads ;  they  shall 


CHRISTIAN  GRACES.  215 

obtain  joy  and  gladness,  and  sorrow  and  sighing  shall  flee 
away." 

Meditation. 

I  want  to  know  the  sorrows  of  the  believer  more  and 
more,  that  I  may  have  at  last  his  joys  and  consolations. 
What  is  all  the  joy  of  this  world  but  emptiness  and  vanity  ! 
"It  is  better  to  go  to  the  house  of  mourning  than  to  the 
house  of  feasting ;  for  by  the  sadness  of  the  countenance 
the  heart  is  made  better.  But  0  may  my  sorrow  spring 
chiefly  from  the  view  of  that  crucified  One,  whom  my  sins 
have  pierced,  and  who  bore  the  chastisement  of  my  peace  ! 
May  true  compunction  arise  in  my  heart  from  my  ingrati- 
tude to  him,  and  my  unutterable  folly  and  wickedness  in 
despising  and  rejecting  him  who  died  for  my  sins, 

4.  THE  MEEK. 

A  third  passive  grace  is  mentioned  as  blessed  by  our 
Lord,  that  of  meekness.  Christian  meekness  is  a  very  dif- 
ferent spirit  from  that  natural  quiet,  and  easy,  and  yielding 
disposition  which  we  sometimes  see  in  persons  that  are 
manifestly  worldly.  Such  persons  give  up  God's  truth  for 
the  sake  of  peace.  The  truly  meek  maintain  God's  truth 
firmly,  but  in  the  spirit  of  gentleness  and  patience,  "  speak- 
ing the  truth  in  love."  It  is  a  grace  founded  on  poverty  of 
spirit,  and  mourning  for  sin.  When  a  man  feels  his  own 
sinfulness  and  nothingness,  he  is  thereby  preserved  from 
murmuring  against  God's  dealings  with  him,  however 
humbling.  Instead  of  stumbling  at  God's  word,  and  being 
offended  with  it,  he  trembles  at  it,  "  receiving  with  meek- 
ness the  engrafted  word,  which  is  able  to  save  his  soul." 
Instead  of  fretting  against  the  Lord,  he  remembers  his 
ways  and  is  ashamed  and  confounded,  and  has  his  mouth 
closed.  (Psalm  xxxix.  9  ;  Ezek.  xvi.  01 — G8.)  And  so 
with  regard  to  his  fellow-men  ;  this  meekness  of  spirit  is 
seen  in  the  way  in  which  all  injuries  inflicted  by  others 
are  received  :  "  not  rendering  railing  for  railing,  but  con- 


216 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


trariwise  blessing  ;  in  meekness  instructing  those  that 
oppose  themselves,  if  God  peradventure  may  give  them 
repentance  to  the  acknowledging  of  the  truth." 

This  grace  is  opposed  to  irritability  under  provocations, 
and  to  impatience  under  delays  and  sufferings.  Thus 
Moses,  under  many  provocations,  was  eminent  for  meek- 
ness. Thus  David  bore  Shimei's  curses,  having  deep  con- 
viction of  his  own  criminal  conduct.  But  the  most  eminent 
example  of  meekness  was  our  Lord  Christ.  As  a  "  sheep 
before  her  shearers  is  dumb,  so  he  opened  not  his  mouth  ; 
when  he  was  reviled,  he  reviled  not  again  ;  when  he  suffered, 
he  threatened  not,  but  committed  himself  to  him  that  judg- 
eth  righteously." 

There  is  something  indescribably  excellent  in  the  meek- 
ness of  our  Lord.  He  had  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth  ; 
he  knew  the  falsehood  and  wickedness  of  his  enemies,  but 
with  a  calm,  tender,  loving,  patient,  and  unruffled  spirit, 
he  bore  all  their  malignity,  wept  over  their  sinfulness  ;  on 
the  very  cross  he  cried  out,  "  Father  !  forgive  them,  they 
know  not  what  they  do  :  "  and,  after  Jhis  resurrection,  he 
sent  first  to  Jerusalem  the  tidings  of  the  free  grace  for  sin- 
ners obtained  by  his  death.  See  the  meekness  with  which 
he  met  every  insult,  and  in  what  meekness  of  wisdom  he 
answered  every  ensnaring  question.  Well  might  he  say  to 
us,  "  Take  my  yoke  upon  you,  and  learn  of  me,  for  I  am 
meek  and  lowly  in  heart,  and  ye  shall  find  rest  to  your 
souls." 

The  promise  to  the  meek  is,  "  they  shall  inherit  the 
earth."  Here,  too,  there  is  a  present  as  well  as  a  future 
fulfilment.  Outwardly,  indeed,  now  the  meek  do  not  inherit 
the  earth  ;  rather  the  very  reverse,  as  we  see  fully  set  forth 
in  the  11th  of  Hebrews — but  there  is  a  spiritual  inherit- 
ance possessed  by  them.  Of  this  the  apostle  speaks  when 
he  says,  "  as  having  nothing,  and  yet  possessing  all  things." 
The  real  use  of  every  thing,  as  it  regards  the  great  end  of 
life,  preparation  for  future  glory,  a  Christian  now  has. 
All  his  losses  as  well  as  his  gains,  his  sorrows  as  well  as  his 
joys,  his  mortifications  as  well  as  his  gratifications,  are 


CHRISTIAN  GRACES. 


217 


working  for  his  best  good  and  glory.  He  is  calm  and 
peaceful  under  that  which  fills  the  proud  and  irritable  with 
rage  and  enmity.  He  enjoys  those  blessings  whicli  Provi- 
dence affords  to  all,  without  the  disturbing  disquietude  of 
unholy  and  angry  passions,  and  he  has  a  hope  full  of 
immortality. 

And  what  he  has  now  in  spirit,  he  will  have  really  and 
visibly  on  the  day  of  the  Lord's  return.  The  saints  in 
glory  now  sing,  "  Thou  hast  made  us  unto  our  God  kings 
and  priests,  and  we  shall  reign  on  the  earth."  By  and  bye 
"  he  will  appear,"  and  in  "  the  new  heavens  and  the  new 
earth,  wherein  dwelleth  righteousness,"  the  real  sovereignty 
and  inheritance  of  the  eai-th  will  be  given  to  the  meek. 
In  this  prospect  we  should  join  the  apostle's  song,  "  Blessed 
be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  which, 
according  to  his  abundant  mercy,  hath  begotten  us  again 
unto  a  lively  hope  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  from 
the  dead,  to  an  inheritance  incorruptible  and  undefiled,  and 
that  fadeth  not  away,  reserved  in  heaven  for  you." 

Meditation. 

May  I  learn  of  him  who,  though  all  the  angels  of  God 
worship  him,  was  meek  and  lowly  in  heart  !  0  may  the 
humility  of  Jesus  make  me  ashamed  of  my  pride,  and 
cause  me  to  abhor  all  that  impatience  of  spirit  and  irrita- 
bility of  temper,  which  is  so  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  my 
Lord  !  Let  me  remember  what  the  eloquent  and  holy 
father,  Chrysostom,  says,  "  The  true  secret  of  living  in 
peace  with  the  world  is  to  have  a  humble  opinion  of  our- 
selves. True  goodness  is  invariably  accompanied  with 
mildness  and  humility." 

.5.  THE  HUNGERING  AND  THIRSTING  AFTER  RIGHTE- 
OUSNESS. 

The  fourth  grace  is  a  middle  grace  between  passive  or 
suffering  graces,  and  those  which  are  more  active.  The 
preceding  graces  manifest  that  the  spiritual  man  is  made 


218 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


deeply  sensible  of  his  own  want  of  righteousness.  As  he 
grows  in  grace,  active  and  ardent  desires  are  stirred  up  in 
his  heart  after  that  righteousness,  in  which  he  feels  that  he 
is  so  deficient,  and  in  the  want  of  which  the  whole  creation 
sighs  and  groans. 

Hunger  and  thirst  express,  in  a  strong  manner,  the  earn- 
est and  intense  desires  of  the  inner  man  after  this  blessing. 
Wonderful  is  that  grace  which  brings  it  to  pass  that  one 
who  naturally  delights  only  in  sin,  should  be  so  completely 
changed  as  to  delight  supremely  in  righteousness,  and  to 
dread  and  hate  sin  as  the  worst  of  all  evils. 

This  change  is  effected  by  seeing  and  believing  God's 
love  to  us  in  giving  his  Son  to  die  for  us.  In  the  blaze  of 
that  holy  love,  and  in  the  true  view  which  that  magnifying 
glass  presents  of  things,  all  the  vile  abominations  of  our 
hearts  are  seen.  Just  as  in  a  drop  of  water,  when  brought, 
in  the  full  light  of  the  sun,  under  a  powerful  microscope, 
though  it  seemed  pure,  are  discovered  all  sorts  of  floating 
and  unclean  creatures,  full  of  life  and  activity,  so  it  is  in 
the  heart.  Those  who  merely  by  the  light  of  nature,  look 
into  their  hearts,  imagine  that  all  is  pure  and  good,  but  let 
"  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the 
face  of  Christ  Jesus  shine  into  the  heart,"  and  it  will  be 
fully  seen  and  felt  that  the  heart  is  "  deceitful  above  all 
things  and  desperately  wicked."  And  when  this  discovery 
is  made  of  our  vileness,  a  similar  discovery  is  made  of  the 
excellence  of  righteousness.  O  how  lovel}^  is  the  righte- 
ousness of  God  to  me  a  sinner,  whep  I  see  all  that  righte- 
ousness engaged  to  bless  me,  returning  to  him  by  Jesus 
Christ,  and  thus  know  that  he  is  "  a  just  God  and  a  Savi- 
our !  "  He  sent  forth  his  Son  Jesus  "  to  be  a  propitiation 
through  faith  in  his  blood,  to  declare  his  righteousness  for 
the  remission  of  sins  that  are  past,  through  the  forbearance 
of  God."  In  that  wonderful  propitiation,  I,  a  sinner,  can 
bear  to  gaze  on  that  glorious  attribute  of  divine  righteous- 
ness, and  see  that  this  attribute  is  not  condemning  me,  but 
justifying  me,  while  believing  in  Jesus.  Thus  the  righte- 
ousness of  God  is  no  longer  my  enemy,  but  my  friend  ;  it 


CHRISTIAN  GRACES. 


219 


is  to  me  lovely  and  delightful.  I  see  its  inexpressible  value 
and  importance.  I  see  the  whole  creation  would  be  mise- 
rable without  it.  I  see  it  is  the  security  for  every  good,  as 
sin  is  the  source  of  all  sorrow,  misery,  and  death  :  hateful 
to  God  and  ruinous  to  man.  Hence  are  excited  in  my 
heart  those  holy  thirstings  after  righteousness  which  mark 
the  renewed  soul.  Nothing  else  can  content  liim.  Sin  is 
his  burden  and  grief.  He  exclaims,  vvhile  conflicting  with 
it,  "  0  wretched  man  that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  from 
the  body  of  this  death  !  "  Holiness  is  his  great  aim  and 
pursuit. 

There  need  be  no  dispute  what  righteousness  is  meant. 
It  is  doubtless  the  gift  of  Christ  to  live  and  die  for  me  a 
sinner,  and  his  perfect  righteousness  and  obedience,  that 
attracts  and  wins  my  sinful  heart  ;  but  while  I  thus  see 
the  excellence  of  God's  righteousness  in  my  free  justifica- 
tion by  Christ,  I  am  led  to  be  like  God  altogether  in  righte- 
ousness and  in  grace,  in  holiness  and  in  mercy,  and  in  the 
entire  sanctification  of  my  soul,  and  to  long  for  the  whole 
world  being  made  truly  righteous  in  his  sight. 

They  that  thus  hunger  and  thirst  "  shall  be  filled."  As 
God  the  Holy  Ghost  excites  these  desires  in  their  hearts, 
so  he  will  more  and  more  here  renew  them  after  the  divine 
image.  There  is  a  growth  in  grace  in  the  children  of  God. 
As  "  the  outward  man  perishes,  the  inward  man  is  renewed 
day  by  day."  Sin  becomes  more  hateful  ;  he  more  abhors 
himself  for  it.  He  becomes  more  conscious  of  his  own 
weakness,  and  more  simply  dependent  on  the  Lord.  He 
sees  more  clearly  that  he  can  only  be  justified  freely  by 
grace,  and  loves  the  Lord  more,  who  has  bought  him  with 
his  blood. 

Yet  it  is  not  in  this  life  that  he  is  filled.  "  I  will  behold 
thy  face  in  righteousness,"  says  David,  "  I  shall  be  satisfied 
when  I  awake  with  thy  likeness."  The  day  is  rapidly  now 
hastening  on,  when  "  the  new  heavens  and  the  new  earth 
wherein  dwelleth  righteousness  "  shall  appear.  At  the 
return  of  our  Redeemer  he  will  eff^ectually  establish  righte- 
ousness in  the  earth.    And  "  when  he  shall  appear  we  shall 


220 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


be  like  him,  for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is."  How  sweetly 
does  St.  John  speak  of  that  happy  day  !  "  They  shall 
hunger  no  more,  neither  thirst  any  more,  neither  shall  the 
sun  light  on  them  nor  any  heat,  for  the  Lamb  which  is  in 
the  midst  of  the  throne  shall  feed  them,  and  shall  lead  them 
unto  living  fountains  of  water." 

Meditation. 

How  infinitely  important  is  it  that  these  main  springs  of 
action,  the  wishes  and  desires  of  the  heart  should  be  puri- 
fied !  0  that  I  may  be  led,  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  so  to 
think  of  his  righteousness  and  its  inexpressible  excellence 
that,  with  the  apostle  Paul,  I  may  count  all  things  else  but 
loss  to  win  Christ,  and  obtain  "the  righteousness  which 
is  of  God  by  faith  !  "  While  men  go  through  many  sacri- 
fices to  gain  earthly  objects  of  ambition,  may  this  really 
glorious  and  worthy  object  of  desire,  divine  righteousness, 
excite  all  my  ardent  longings  of  soul,  and  be  pursued  by 
me  with  eager  and  supreme  desire. 

6.  THE  MERCIFUL. 

The  connection  of  righteousness  and  mercy  is  often 
brought  before  us  in  the  word  of  God.  In  the  gospel, 
"  mercy  and  truth  are  met  together,  and  righteousness  and 
peace  have  kissed  each  other."  Having  ourselves  obtained 
righteousness  through  the  rich  grace  and  mercy  of  our  God  : 
having  ourselves  been  delivered  from  our  sinful  state, 
through  his  loving-kindness,  we  are  in  the  prepared  state 
of  mind  for  shewing  mercy  to  others.  We  are  besides, 
continual,  yes,  constant  pensioners  on  the  same  divine 
bounty  ;  when  living  daily  by  faith,  receiving  all  that  we 
have  now  from  grace,  and  expecting  all  hereafter  from 
grace  only,  we  are  just  in  the  right  posture  for  shewing  a 
merciful  spirit  to  others. 

Mercifulness  is  that  grace  which  looks  with  tenderness 
and  grief,  pity  and  compassion,  on  the  miseries  of  others, 
and  is  truly  desirous  of  relieving  those  miseries  according 


CHRISTIAN  GRACES. 


221 


to  the  ability  God  has  given  us.  The  object  of  mercy  is 
misery,  and  to  help  those  in  necessity  is  the  aim  and  desire 
of  the  merciful  man. 

Naturally,  men  shrink  from  objects  of  distress  and  neces- 
sity ;  they  disturb  our  quiet ;  they  occasion  us  trouble  : 
we  are  disposed  to  pass  by  on  the  other  side.  And  in  some, 
this  harshness  will  grow  to  despising  them  and  blaming 
them,  and  so  increasing  their  misery.  But  the  merciful 
man  sees  his  brother  in  necessity,  and  is  touched  with  feel- 
ings of  sympathy  and  compassion  for  him,  and  with  inward 
desires  to  relieve  and  comfort.  All  his  own  comforts  lead 
him  to  pity  others.  His  loaded  table  leads  him  to  think 
of  their  scanty  board  ;  his  warm  clothing,  of  their  naked- 
ness ;  his  fireside,  of  their  few  embers  ;  his  blessedness  in 
scriptural  knowledge,  of  their  darkness  and  ignorance  ;  his 
joy  in  Christ,  of  their  sorrow  without  Christ.  And  in  this 
state  of  mind  "  the  liberal  deviseth  liberal  things."  He 
remembers  that  he  is  but  the  steward  of  all  he  has,  and 
that  the  Lord,  full  of  mercy  and  love,  would  have  all  his 
goods  not  hoarded  up,  but  distributed  for  the  good  of  others  ; 
having  given  many  charges  to  his  stewards  to  be  liberal. 
"  fie  which  soweth  sparingly  shall  reap  also  sparingly,  and 
he  which  soweth  bountifully  shall  reap  also  bountifully. 
God  loveth  a  cheerful  giver." 

The  same  merciful  spirit  is  seen  in  its  actings  towards 
those  who  have  offended  and  injured  us,  not  only  bearing 
patiently  with  them  as  in  the  case  of  meekness,  but  freely 
forgiving  them.  What  if  they  have  abused  my  kindness, 
and  are  unthankful  and  unworthy,  shall  I,  who  owe  all  my 
hopes  to  sovereign  grace  and  goodness,  refuse  to  manifest 
grace  to  the  evil  and  unthankful  ?  let  at  least  the  time  of 
grace  be  yet  prolonged  to  them,  as  God  prolongs  it  to  me. 

Nor  will  the  fear  of  injuring  ourselves  stop  the  current 
of  mercy.  Jesus,  though  "  he  was  rich,  for  our  sakes 
became  poor,"  and  mercy  will  submit  to  many  of  the  incon- 
veniences of  the  miserable  in  order  to  raise  them  out  of 
their  misery.  Tiiose  thus  merciful  shall  indeed  "  obtain 
mercy."    They  feel  they  need  it,  because  they  are  still 


222 


CHKISTIAX  TRUTH  : 


sinful.  That  they  have  obtained  mercy  already  is  seen  in 
the  very  fact  of  their  being  merciful.  God  also  deals  mer- 
cifully and  graciously  with  them  in  all  that  yet  concerns 
them  in  this  life  ;  all  shall  work  together  for  good,  and 
they  may  say  in  the  full  confidence  of  faith,  "  sui'ely  mercy 
and  goodness  shall  follow  me  all  the  days  of  my  life." 

But  the  chief  need  sinners  have  of  mercy  is  in  the  day 
of  judgment — a  day  yet  to  come.  Thus  the  apostle,  speak- 
ing of  the  labours  of  mercy  and  love  of  Onesiphorus,  joins 
together  prayers  for  mercy  for  him  in  the  present  life  and 
in  the  day  of  Christ.  "  The  Lord  give  mercy  to  the  house 
of  Onesiphorus — the  Lord  grant  unto  him  that  he  may 
find  mercy  of  the  Lord  in  that  day."  And  you  may  observe 
(Matt.  XXV.  34 — 40.)  that  all  the  righteous  reward  of  the 
saints  proceeds  on  the  grounds  of  these  works  of  mercy  in 
this  life,  done  under  the  animating  motive  of  redeeming 
love. 

Meditation. 

What  hope  can  I  have  from  God  which  is  not  founded 
on  or  drawn  from  his  mercies  in  Christ  Jesus  to  my  soul ! 
Oh,  then,  how  intolerable  would  be  hardness  and  severity 
of  judgment  and  harshness  of  conduct  from  me  towards 
others.  Compassion  was  the  unfailing  character  of  the 
good  Shepherd  who  laid  down  his  life  for  the  sheep  ;  let 
me  gaze  upon  his  pity  and  love,  till  I  find  his  spirit  impart- 
ing to  me  the  same  melting  pity  and  tenderness  towards 
the  sinful  and  miserable. 

7.  THE  PURE  IN  HEART. 

The  sixth  grace  mentioned  by  our  Lord  is  purity  in 
heart.  The  mercifulness  of  the  Christian  is  not  like  the 
alms  of  the  hypocrite,  a  cloak  for  wickedness  or  self-righte- 
ousness, but  goes  on  to  inward  purity.  This  purity  is  also 
a  higher  stage  of  grace,  as  pointing  out  the  discrimination 
and  holy  motive  of  his  mercy.  The  heart  does  not  mean 
here  merely  the  affections,  but  includes  and  embraces  the 


CHRISTIAN  GRACES. 


223 


mind  and  conscience,  the  thoughts  and  will,  as  well  as  the 
affections.  The  means  of  this  inward  purity  is  the  cleans- 
ing blood  of  Jesus  the  Son  of  God  ;  tliat  alone  is  efficacious 
to  purify  us.  As  under  the  law  of  Moses  "  the  blood  of 
bulls  and  goats,  and  the  ashes  of  an  heifer,  sprinkling  the 
unclean,  sanctified  to  the  purifying  of  the  flesh  :  "  so  much 
more  under  the  gospel,  "  the  blood  of  Christ,  who  through 
the  eternal  Spirit,  offered  himself  without  spot  to  God, 
shall  purge  the  conscience  from  dead  works  to  serve  the 
living  God."  This  blood  discovers  to  me  all  the  fearful 
guilt  and  danger  of  my  sins,  and  yet,  in  the  full  atonement 
made,  allows  me  not  only  without  danger,  but  as  the  very 
way  of  safety,  freely  to  confess  every  sin,  assuring  me  that 
"  the  blood  of  Jesus  his  Son  cleanseth  from  all  sin." 

On  this  true  view  of  my  sinfulness,  and  acknowledgment 
of  it,  all  controversy  ceases  between  me  and  God.  I  want 
no  more  subterfuge,  excuse,  and  self-justification.  I  view 
things  as  they  are  really  ;  in  his  sight  my  eye  is  single.  I 
am  a  sinner  indebted  to  sovereign  mercy  for  every  hope. 
I  receive  the  atonement,  and  return  to  God,  and  delight  in 
him,  under  that  cheering  promise  and  assurance,  "  I  have 
blotted  out  as  a  thick  cloud  thy  transgressions,  and  as  a 
cloud  thy  sins  ;  return  unto  me,  for  I  have  redeemed  thee." 
Thus  the  sinner's  heart  is  purified  by  faith.    Acts  xv.  9. 

Now  the  true  principle  of  all  acceptable  service,  even 
love,  is  implanted.  "  We  love  him  because  he  first  loved 
us."  The  believer  really  loves  God,  and  delights  in  him, 
and  hence  hates  sin  as  the  worst  enemy  of  God  and  man. 
Sin  is  loathsome  and  abominable  in  his  sight.  Now  God's 
glory  is  aimed  at  as  the  great  end  of  life.  Purity  and  holi- 
ness are  one  thing,  entire  dedication  to  God.  God  is  holy, 
as  he  is,  if  we  may  say  so,  consecrated  and  set  apart  to 
maintain  those  holy  perfections  and  attributes  which  form 
his  excellence  and  glory.  And  the  believer  has  a  oneness 
with  God  ;  in  being  set  apart  to  his  glory  and  the  good  of 
others,  he  works  as  God  works  ;  desiring,  as  grace  prevails, 
nothing  inconsistent  with,  or  not  according  to,  the  will  of 
his  heavenly  Father. 


224 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


In  attaining  this  end,  the  Christian  is  guided  and  go- 
verned by  the  word  of  God,  and  aims  in  godly  simplicity 
and  sincerity  to  fulfil  his  profession.  We  are  not  however 
to  imagine  that  he  is  perfectly  pure.  "  He  purifieth  him- 
self." It  is  a  daily  ■work  to  come  to  be  washed  afresh  in 
the  blood  of  the  Lamb  ;  to  be  purified  afresh  by  new  com- 
munications of  the  Holy  Ghost  according  to  the  gracious 
promises  so  fully  laid  before  us  ;  (Ezek.  xxxvi.  25 — 2~.) 
and,  after  all,  in  the  midst  of  his  purity,  there  is  the  most 
humbling  conviction  of  sinfulness  as  set  before  us,  (v.  31.) 
"  Then  shall  ye  remember  your  evil  ways,  and  your  doings 
that  were  not  good,  and  shall  loathe  yourselves  in  your 
own  sight,  for  your  iniquities,  and  for  your  abomina- 
tions." 

To  those  thus  pure  in  heart  there  is  the  promise,  "  They 
shall  see  God."  This  is  sweetly  realized  in  this  life.  "  If 
the  eye  be  single,  thy  whole  body  shall  be  full  of  light." 
When  there  is  purity  of  heart,  there  is  real  delight  in  God. 
Such  find  God  in  his  house,  and  at  his  table,  and  in  secret, 
when  others  find  him  not.  They  see  him  in  every  provi- 
dence, and  in  all  the  works  of  creation.  They  see  him  in 
their  sorrows  and  in  their  joys.  In  short,  they  can  say 
from  the  heart,  "  Truly  our  fellowship  is  with  the  Father, 
and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ."  But  this  spiritual  sight 
of  God's  glory  now  is  far  short  of  that  full  vision  of  his 
glory  here  promised.  The  apostle  Paul  thus  distinguishes 
it.  "  Now  we  see  through  a  glass  darkly,  but  then  face  to 
face  ;  now  I  know  in  part,  but  then  shall  I  know  even  as 
also  I  am  known."  "  To  see  God  as  he  is  ;"  to  be  in  that 
heavenly  Jerusalem  in  which  is  "  the  throne  of  God  and 
the  Lamb,"  where  "  his  servants  shall  serve  him,  and  they 
shall  see  his  face,  and  his  name  shall  be  in  their  foreheads" 
— this  is  the  full  blessing  here  promised. 

Prayer  for  purity  in  heart. 

0  most  Holy  God,  infinite  in  purity,  in  whose  sight  the 
heavens  are  not  clean,  how  can  a  wretched  sinner  like  my- 
self hope  to  dwell  for  ever  with  thee  !    Blessed  be  thy 


CHRISTIAN  GRACES. 


225 


name  for  the  fountain  opened  for  sin  and  for  uneleanness. 
There  do  I  now  come  to  wash  my  polluted  robes  in  the 
cleansing  blood  of  Jesus.  As  his  death  has  atoned  for  all 
my  guilt,  so  may  it  fill  me  with  hatred  of  sin  and  love  to 
thee.  And  Oh,  do  thou  so  cleanse  the  thoughts  of  my 
heart  by  the  inspiration  of  thy  Holy  Spirit,  that  I  may 
perfectly  love  thee,  and  ever  worthily  magnify  thy  holy 
name,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

8.  THE  PEACE-MAKERS. 

We  come  to  the  last  and  highest  grace  of  the  Christian, 
in  which  he  especially  resembles  God.  As  in  that  splendid 
list  of  the  Redeemer's  titles  (Isaiah  ix.  C.)  the  last  is  "  the 
Prince  of  Peace,"  so  in  the  beautiful  list  of  Christian 
graces  the  last  character  is  the  peace-makers.  The  God  of 
peace  is  a  title  indeed  that  our  God  takes  to  himself,  as 
especially  connected  with  the  work  of  our  salvation.  0 
how  wonderful  was  that  love  which  provided  such  a  pro- 
pitiation as  the  sacrifice  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  to  put  away 
man's  enmity,  and  that  his  ministers  might  everywhere  be 
commissioned  to  proclaim  the  word  of  reconciliation,  "  that 
God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself,  not 
imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them."  Thus  the  word 
which  God  sends  is  "  preaching  peace  by  Jesus  Christ." 
Christ  himself  also  "  is  our  peace."  healing  all  divisions 
between  God  and  man,  and  Jew  and  Gentile,  "  having  re- 
conciled both  unto  God  in  one  body  by  the  cross,  having 
slain  the  enmity  thereby." 

The  Christian  becomes  a  partaker  of  this  Godlike,  this 
Christlike  spirit  of  peace -making.  Having  peace  in  his 
own  conscience  with  God,  through  the  peace-making  blood 
of  the  Redeemer,  his  whole  spirit  is  peaceable.  "  The 
wisdom  which  cometh  from  above  is  first  pure,  then  peace- 
able." ile  "  follows  after  things  which  make  for  peace." 
If,  in  obedience  to  the  divine  command,  he  contends  ear- 
nestly for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  he  knows 
that  without  it  there  is  no  real  or  lasting  peace  for  man. 


226 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


He  speaks  "  the  truth  in  love,"  not  in  wrath  and  bitter- 
ness. He  meddles  not  with  those  who  are  given  to  change, 
but  is  among  the  "  quiet  in  the  land."  So  in  the  church 
he  seeks  to  give  "  no  offence  in  any  thing,"  lest  the  sos- 
pel  should  be  impeded.  He  follows  "  the  things  which 
make  for  peace,"  joined  to  "  the  things  wherewith  one 
may  edify  another."  Thence  he  endeavours  to  "  keep  the 
unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace."  And  thus  Chris- 
tians in  their  neighbourhood,  and  in  their  family,  have  the 
same  spirit  of  peace.  They  "  depart  from  evil  and  do 
good,  they  seek  peace  and  pursue  it."  You  see  thus  joined 
together  in  the  scriptures,  truth  and  love,  holiness  and 
peace.    "  Follow  peace  with  aU  men,  and  holiness." 

Now  the  most  effectual  way,  in  the  end,  of  doing  this, 
does  not  at  tirst  sight  seem  to  be  the  most  likely  method. 
While  our  Saviour  is  the  Prince  of  peace,  and  at  his  birth 
the  angelic  song  filled  the  heavens,  "  peace  on  earth  and 
good  will  towards  men,"  he  sent  forth  his  ministers  with 
the  gospel  of  peace  to  testify,  "  I  came  not  to  send  peace 
but  a  sword."  (Matt.  x.  34.)  The  gospel  offends  men's 
prejudices,  and  everywhere  stirs  up  their  enmity,  and  yet 
is  he  who  is  spreading  that  gospel  a  true  peace-maker.  For 
the  gospel  first  gives  peace  to  a  man's  own  bosom.  "  Being 
justified  by  faith  we  have  peace  with  God  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ."  In  the  free  acknowledgment  of  our  guilt 
in  all  its  aggravations,  and  free  salvation  by  grace  through 
faith,  an  ample  and  solid  foundation  is  laid  for  peace  within. 
I  can  see  all  my  sinfulness  with  all  its  enormity,  and  loathe 
and  abhor  myself,  and  only  be  the  more  filled  with  joy  and 
peace  in  believing,  and  have  my  heart  enkindled  with  a 
holy  fire  of  love  to  God  and  man.  Hence  to  such  a  man 
there  is  nothing  now  to  hinder  his  approach  to  God.  He 
has  even  "  boldness  to  enter  into  the  holiest  by  the  blood 
of  Jesus."  God  and  the  believer  have  one  mind  on  sin,  on 
holiness,  on  righteousness,  and  on  grace.  The  loving  and 
holy  mind  of  God  being  thus  imparted  to  the  believer,  he  is 
full  of  love  to  others,  longing  that  they  should  partake  of 
the  same  peace  and  joy.    Hence  he  willingly  suffers  much 


CHRISTIAN  GRACES. 


227 


to  promote  the  diffusion  of  this  heavenly  peace  ;  and  how 
joyful  is  the  prospect  that  in  the  coming  kingdom  of  Christ, 
"  the  righteous  shall  flourish,  and  there  shall  be  abundance 
of  peace  so  long  as  the  moon  endureth."  And  besides  this 
spiritual  peace,  the  same  disposition  will  be  manifest  in 
promoting  outward  peace,  aind  restoring  it  when  it  has 
been  lost.  "  If  it  be  possible  as  much  as  in  you  lieth,  live 
peaceably  with  all  men."  All  mediators,  indeed,  from 
Jesus  downwards,  have  suffered  in  making  peace ;  those 
most  blameworthy  will  be  sure  to  condemn  the  umpire 
who  decides  against  them  ;  but  to  "  know  the  fellowship 
of  Christ's  sufferings,"  to  suffer  for  well-doing,  is  a  real 
privilege  and  honour  put  upon  us,  as  will  be  soon  mani- 
fested in  the  coming  day  of  glory.  In  the  meanwhile  the 
peace-makers  shall  even  here  be  called  the  children  of  God. 
They  are  really  so.  "  Behold  what  manner  of  love  the 
Father  hath  bestowed  upon  us,  that  we  should  be  called 
the  sons  of  God."  It  is  true  this  sonship  is  now  unac- 
knowledged by  man  ;  "  therefore  the  world  knoweth  us  not, 
because  it  knew  him  not  but  it  is  a  real  fact.  "  Beloved, 
now  are  we  the  sons  of  God."  It  is,  however,  now  a 
spiritual  though  real  blessedness,  consisting  in  likeness  to 
God,  heavenly-mindedness,  and  a  hope  full  of  immortality. 
"  The  Spirit  himself  beareth  witness  with  our  spirits  that 
we  are  the  children  of  God  ;  and  if  children,  then  heirs, 
heirs  of  God,  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ  ;  if  so  be  that 
Ave  suffer  with  him,  that  we  may  also  be  glorified  to- 
gether." 

But  this  spiritual  blessedness  will  soon  be  manifested  in 
visible  glory.  "  The  earnest  expectation  of  the  creature 
waiteth  for  the  manifestation  of  the  sons  of  God."  All  is 
now  hidden  and  veiled,  all  is  like  the  seed  under  ground, 
dying  and  quickening,  but  covered  from  the  eye  of  man. 
"  For  ye  are  dead,  and  your  life  is  hid  with  Christ  in 
God."  But  it  will  not  be  so  long.  "  When  Christ,  who 
is  our  life,  shall  appear,  then  shall  ye  also  appear  with  him 
in  glory."  The  harvest  of  the  church  is  fast  ripening  for 
the  heavenly  kingdom. 

Q  2 


228 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Prayer  for  Christian  graces. 

0  Father  of  mercies  and  God  of  all  comfort,  who  seest 
my  darkness,  sinfulness,  and  weakness,  and  hast  appointed 
a  throne  of  grace,  where,  in  this  day  of  salvation,  I  may 
obtain  mercy  and  find  grace  to  help  in  time  of  need  ;  drawn 
by  thy  sweet  promises,  I  come  to  thee  ;  I  come  to  thee 
under  the  sense  of  my  sinfulness  and  danger,  and  beseech 
thee  to  make  me,  by  thine  own  effectual  teaching,  to  be 
poor  in  spirit,  to  mourn  for  sins,  and  to  be  meek  in  heart. 
Make  me,  then,  by  the  same  gift  of  thy  Spirit,  to  hunger 
and  thirst  after  righteousness,  to  be  merciful  to  others,  and 
pure  in  heart,  and  numbered  with  the  peace-makers.  And 
may  all  those  great  and  gracious  promises  which  thy  be- 
loved Son  has  connected  with  those  graces,  thus  be  granted 
to  me  here  and  for  ever. 

1  ask  the  same  blessings  for  the  whole  church  of  God, 
and  that  every  where  thus  thy  people  may  be  the  salt  of 
the  earth  and  the  light  of  the  world.  0  hear  me  for  the 
glory  of  thy  great  name,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
Amen. 


REPENTANCK  AND  FAITH. 


229 


CHAPTER  XII. 

REPENTANCE  AND  FAITH. 

1.  Their  importance  and  connection— 2.  The  nature  and  continuance  of 
Repentance — 3.  The  nature  and  objects  of  Faith — 4.  Examples  of  Faith — 5. 
Tests  of  Faith — 6.  Means  of  increasing  it — 7.  The  triumphs  of  Faith. 

1.    THE    IMPORTANCE    AND  CONNECTION  OF  REPENTANCE 
AND  FAITH. 

The  prominent  or  chief  place  given  in  the  Holy  Scriptures 
to  these  two  leading  duties  will  be  very  evident.  Every 
earnest  address  in  the  Bible  calls  to  the  one  or  the  other  of 
them.  They  are  eminently  made  the  turning-point  of 
perishing,  or  of  salvation.  Thus  of  repentance  it  is  said, 
"  Except  ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  perish  :  Repent  and  be 
converted,  that  your  sins  may  be  blotted  out,  when  the 
times  of  refreshing  shall  come  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord."  And  of  faith  it  is  equally  said,  "  He  that  believeth 
not  shall  be  damned  :  he  that  believeth  on  the  Son  hath 
everlasting  life." 

And  as  each  is  thus  important,  so  we  very  frequently 
find  them  combined  together.  Thus  our  Lord  preaches  : 
"Repent  ye,  and  believe  the  gospel.  Mark  i.  15.  Thus 
the  apostle  states  his  teaching  both  publicly,  "  and  from 
house  to  house,"  to  be  "  testifying  repentance  towards  God, 
and  faith  towards  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  Acts  xx.  21. 
He  joins  together  in  other  places  the  mention  of  these  two ; 
thus  he  speaks  of  "  repentance  unto  the  acknowledgment 
of  the  truth."  2  Tim.  ii.2  5.  "  Repentance  from  dead  works 


230 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


and  faith  towards  God."  Heb.  vi.  ].  These  passages  may 
suffice  to  shew  the  special  connection  between  these  leading 
duties,  as  well  as  the  very  important  place  which  they  hold 
in  the  gospel  of  Christ. 

How  great  is  the  goodness  of  God  in  giving  space  for 
repentance  to  us  sinners,  and  a  way  of  salvation  by  faith  ! 
Had  we  been  dealt  with  according  to  the  righteous  severity 
of  the  law,  there  would  have  been  no  such  space,  no  such 
way.  Its  just  sentence  is,  "  The  soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall 
die."  Repentance  and  faith  are  provisions  of  grace  and 
mercy  for  our  recovery.  They  are  two  parts  of  the  same 
new  nature  given  us  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  are  both 
imparted  at  the  same  time  to  the  soul  truly  born  of  God. 

Faith  indeed  is  first  requisite,  because  the  word  of  God 
being  the  great  means  of  calling  men  to  repentance,  and 
that  word  only  being  profitable  as  it  is  believed,  I  can  only 
repent  as  I  receive  God's  truth.  This  is  the  case  with  all 
the  varied  degrees  of  repentance.  But  in  every  step  of 
genuine  faith,  a  step  is  taken  also  in  repentance. 

The  earnestness  with  which  God  exhorts  his  ministers 
to  call  men  to  repentance,  may  well  shew  us  the  view  in 
which  God  regards  this  duty  :  "  Cry  aloud  ;  spare  not ; 
lift  up  thy  voice  like  a  trumpet,  and  shew  my  people  their 
transgression,  and  the  house  of  Jacob  their  sin. — Come 
now,  and  let  us  reason  together  :  repent  and  turn  your- 
selves fi'om  all  your  transgressions,  so  iniquity'  shall  not 
be  your  ruin. — God  commandeth  all  men  everywhere  to 
repent,  because  he  hath  appointed  a  day  in  which  he  will 
judge  the  world  in  righteousness  by  that  man  whom  he 
hath  ordained."  A  main  object  for  which  our  Redeemer 
visited  our  world  was,  as  he  assures  us,  "  to  call  sinners  to 
repentance." 

O  Christian  reader,  despise  not  all  these  commands  and 
pleadings  of  the  great  God  your  Father  ;  "  Turn  ye,  turn 
ye,  for  why  will  ye  die  ?  "  It  is  perfectly  clear,  by  these 
entreaties  and  calls,  that  your  God  would  not  have  you 
perish.  He  has  solemnly  assured  you  in  his  word,  he  has 
"  no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  a  sinner : "  he  "  is  not  willing 


REPENTANCE  AND  FAITH. 


231 


that  any  should  perish,  but  that  all  should  come  to  repent- 
ance." Believe  your  God  ;  obey  his  commands  ;  repent 
of  every  thing  that  you  have  done  wrong,  and  give  him 
glory  by  acknowledging  his  righteousness  and  love  in 
every  thing. 

Prayer  for  Repentance. 

0  thou  who  hast  promised  to  give  a  new  heart  and  a 
new  spirit,  and  to  put  thy  Spirit  within  us  !  0  thou  who 
hast  exalted  thine  own  Son  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  be  a 
Prince  and  a  Saviour,  to  give  repentance  ;  take  away  my 
hard  and  stony  heart,  give  me  repentance  unto  life  ;  that 
my  heart  being  changed  and  converted,  I  may  be  truly  re- 
conciled to  thee  ;  and  seeing  the  great  wickedness  of  for- 
saking thee,  may  turn  to  thee  with  godly  sorrow  and  con- 
trition, through  Jesus  our  Redeemer.  Amen. 

2.  THE  NATURE  AND  CONTINUANCE  OF  REPENTANCE. 

Repentance  is  a  change  of  mind  arising  from  an  afterview 
of  our  conduct,  and  is  connected  with  real  sorrow  for  our 
sins,  and  a  hearty  turning  from  sin  unto  God. 

Under  the  natural  darkness  of  our  fallen  state,  we  are 
fearfully  and  totally  blind  as  to  the  truth  and  reality  of 
things,  and  this  is  a  state  of  unutterable  miser3^  "  Woe 
unto  them  that  call  evil  good,  and  good  evil  ;  that  put 
darkness  for  light,  and  light  for  darkness  ;  that  put  bitter 
for  sweet,  and  sweet  for  bitter.  Woe  unto  them  that  are 
wise  in  their  own  eyes,  and  prudent  in  their  own  sight." 
In  this  condition,  and  under  this  woe,  are  we  all  through 
our  own  sin  and  unbelief. 

In  this  state  of  sin  and  rebellion  God  bears  with  us,  and 
heaps  up  mercies  upon  us  witliout  number,  that  his  long- 
suffering  "  and  goodness  "  may  "  lead  us  to  repentance." 
He  leaves  none  in  all  the  earth  without  witness  of  his  love, 
doing  good  to  all.  "  He  gives  to  all  life  and  breath  and  all 
things,  that  they  should  seek  the  Lord,  if  haply  they  might 
feel  after  him,  and  find  him."    But  instead  of  this,  "  when 


232 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


they  knew  God  they  glorified  him  not  as  God,  neither  were 
thankful  :  all  the  world  is  hecome  guilty  before  God." 

Men  being  thus  sinful,  the  glorious  gospel  of  the  grace 
of  God,  proclaiming  Jesus  the  Son  of  God,  in  our  nature, 
dying  on  the  cross  for  us  ;  Jesus  the  Saviour  of  the  lost, 
the  Redeemer  of  the  world,  and  pardon  and  grace  and  sal- 
vation through  him  for  all  man,  is  sent  by  the  blessed  God 
to  every  creature.  By  the  brightness  of  divine  love  and 
righteousness,  it  dispels  the  darkness  of  their  minds,  and 
shews  them  their  extreme  danger  and  unutterable  folly, 
and  most  aggravated  guilt. 

Some  believe  not  the  message  of  God.  Satan  blinds  their 
eyes,  so  that  its  light  shines  not  into  their  hearts.  And 
thus  the  gospel  becomes  hid  to  them  that  are  lost.  Thus 
what  should  have  been  a  "  savour  of  life,"  becomes  a  "  sa- 
vour of  death  ; "  that  which  should  have  been  for  their 
welfare,  becomes  an  occasion  of  falling  :  and  this  only 
through  a  wilful  choice  of  sin  and  resistance  of  grace  ; 
through  a  wilful  hatred  of  light  and  love  of  darkness. 

But  where  this  message  is  believed,  how  different  the 
issue  !  Then  the  hard  heart  is  softened  ;  the  stubborn  will 
subdued  ;  the  arms  of  rebellion  are  thrown  aside  ;  con- 
trition, tenderness,  humility,  mourning  for  sin,  and  all 
holy  feelings  have  their  birth  and  growth  ;  the  soul  is 
melted  with  divine  love,  and  yields  itself  wholly  to  God  in 
deep  gratitude,  devoted  obedience,  and  willing  service. 

But  let  us  distinguish  here  between  the  first  workings  of 
repentance  and  the  continuance  of  it  :  distinguishing  them, 
as  the  scriptures  do,  into  the  "  washing  of  regeneration 
and  the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

Regeneration  is  our  new  birth  unto  righteousness  :  it 
is  the  beginning  of  spiritual  life  ;  the  being  "  passed  from 
death  unto  life."  In  some,  as  in  Jolin  the  Baptist,  it 
begins  with  the  very  commencement  of  life  ;  the  promise 
concerning  him  was,  "  He  shall  be  filled  with  the  Holy 
Ghost,  even  from  his  mother's  womb."  But  ordinarily 
God's  word  is  the  main  instrument  used  by  the  Divine 
Spirit  for  communicating  this  great  and  life-giving  change. 


REPENTANCE  AND  FAITH. 


233 


St.  James  says,  i.  18.  "  Of  his  own  will  begat  he  us  by 
the  word  of  truth." 

Baptism  is  connected  with  this  new  birth,  as  being  the 
sign  of  it,  and  a  means  of  grace  ordained  of  Christ  for  as- 
suring it  to  us.  John  iii.  3 — 5.  Titus  iii.  5.  Col.  ii.  11,  12. 

How  vitally  important  to  know  that  this  great  change 
has  been  wrought  in  us — to  be  assured  that  we  have  not 
been  baptized  with  water  only,  but  with  the  Holy  Ghost 
also  !  The  outward  ordinance  may  be,  and  very  often  is, 
totally  separated  from  the  inward  change.  Rom.  ii.  28,  29. 
Tlie  scriptures  therefore  dwell  much  on  the  nature  of  this 
all-important  change.  It  is  a  life  out  of  death.  "  God  hath 
quickened  us  together  with  Christ."  It  is  a  resuiTection 
to  a  heavenly  life.  "  He  hath  raised  us  up  together,  and 
made  us  sit  together  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus." 
It  is  a  new  creation.  If  any  man  be  in  Christ  he  is  "  a 
new  creature."  It  is  known  by  love  to  all  ;  (1  John 
iv.  7.)  love  to  the  brethren  ;  (  1  John  iii.  14.)  faith  in  the 
Saviour  ;  (John  v.  24.  1  Jolm  v.  1.)  love  to  the  scrip- 
tures ;  (1  Peter  ii.  2.)  not  committing  sin  ;  (1  John  iii.  9. 
1  John  v.  18.)  doing  righteousness  ;  (1  John  ii.  29.)  and 
overcoming  the  world.  1  John  v.  4.  These  scriptural  evi- 
dences may  assist  every  one  in  examining  himself,  as  to  his 
being  the  subject  of  this  absolutely  necessary  change,  with- 
out which  we  can  never  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 
They  ought  also  to  guard  every  one  against  the  fearful 
delusion  of  resting  in  the  form  of  baptism,  without  its  grace 
and  full  blessedness. 

The  sole  author  of  this  change  is  God  himself,  who  by 
his  own  Spirit  imparts  spiritual  life.  The  sons  of  God  are 
born,  "  not  of  blood,  nor  of  the  will  of  the  flesh,  nor  of  the 
will  of  man,  but  of  God." 

We  have  a  striking  instance  of  this  great  change  in  the 
prodigal's  coming  to  himself  in  the  far  country.  We  have 
another  striking  picture  of  it  in  the  conversion  of  the  apostle 
Paul,  and  the  total  change  of  his  character.  We  have  sim- 
ilar examples  in  the  three  thousand  who  were  pierced  to 
the  heart  and  converted  on  the  day  of  Pentecost.  Indeed 


284 


CHKISTIAN  TRUTH 


the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  abound  with  the  history  of  such 
total  and  entire  changes  in  the  character  of  men,  by  nature 
dead  in  trespasses  and  sins,  and  who  were  children  of  wrath 
even  as  others. 

Christian  reader,  then,  look  well  within.  Inquire  if  you 
can  discern,  perhaps  not  the  time,  but  the  reality  of  a  work 
of  grace  on  your  own  heart.  Are  you  deeply  affected  by 
your  sinfulness  ?  Are  your  affections  set  on  things  above  1 
Are  you  living  by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God  ?  Is  your 
heart  filled  with  love  to  all  men,  and  especially  to  the  bre- 
thren ?  Are  you  overcoming  the  world  1  The  great  work 
of  life  has  yet  to  be  done,  if  this  be  not  your  character. 
"  You  must  be  born  again."  John  iii.  7. 

But  if  you  are  desirous  of  this  great  change,  under  the 
painful  conviction  that  you  are  yet  ignorant  of  it,  remem- 
ber how  graciously  God  has  promised  to  give  "  the  new 
heart  and  the  new  spirit,"  and  to  take  the  stony  heart 
away,  and  put  his  Spirit  within  us.  Ezekiel  xxxvi.  26,  27. 
Remember  that  all  he  demands  of  us  is  to  seek  this  from 
him  in  fervent  prayer.  Ezek.  xxxvi.  37.  And  what  prayer 
can  be  more  suitable  than  the  one  which  he  has  given  you 
to  use !  "  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  O  God,  and  renew  a 
right  spirit  within  me." 

We  proceed  next  to  consider  the  renewing  of  the 
HoLv  Ghost,  or  the  daily  practice  of  repentance  in  the  be- 
liever's life.  His  daily  life  is  "  sowing  in  tears,  going  forth 
weeping,  and  bearing  precious  seed."  This  arises  from  his 
remaining  sinfulness.  The  divine  work  of  the  new  birth, 
like  the  first  birth  of  man,  has  its  infancy,  and  growth, 
and  maturity.  There  is  in  the  same  individual,  "  the  old 
man"  and  "  the  new  man,"  the  flesh  and  the  spirit,  the 
carnal  mind  and  the  spiritual  mind  ;  and  from  this  mixed 
character  there  is  daily  sin  in  all  we  do.  "  If  we  say  that 
we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves,  and  the  truth  is  not 
in  us." 

There  being  daily  sin  in  the  heart  and  life  of  a  believer, 
there  is  need  of  daily  and  constant  repentance  and  renewal. 
What  a  confession  that  holy  man  Daniel  made  of  his  own 


REPENTANCE  AND  FAlTIt. 


235 


sins,  and  the  sins  of  his  country  1  What  a  similar  acknow- 
ledgment the  righteous  Job,  brought  to  a  deeper  sense  of 
his  sinfulness,  made.  "  I  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust 
and  ashes  !  "  Peter  again  "  went  out  and  wept  bitterly." 
David  also  gives  us,  in  the  51  st  Psalm,  a  full  description  of 
the  feelings  of  a  godly  man  truly  penitent. 

This  spirit  of  daily  repentance  becomes  us,  not  only  on 
account  of  our  sins,  but  also  for  the  sins  of  others.  God 
regards  with  special  favour  those  "  that  sigh  and  mourn 
for  the  abominations  done  around  them."  Ezek.  ix.  4. 

This  is  that  broken,  contrite  heart,  which  our  God  so 
highly  approves,  that  he  says,  "  the  sacrifices  of  God  are 
a  broken  spirit." 

In  fact  it  is  the  fruit  of  his  own  Spirit,  the  work  of  his 
own  grace.  If  he  "  turn  us  we  are  turned."  Jer.  xxxi.  8. 
He  gives  "  repentance  unto  Israel."  Acts  v.  80.  He 
"  grants  to  the  Gentiles  repentance  unto  life."  Acts  xi.  18. 
It  is  all  his  work.  O  seek  daily  from  him  this  sorrow  for 
sin,  which  is  the  very  ground  on  which  grows  holy  joy, 
happy  peace,  and  full  love. 

Meditation. 

See  then,  my  soul,  how  precious  a  humble,  broken, 
mourning  spirit  is  before  God  !  "  A  broken  and  contrite 
heart,  0  God,  thou  wilt  not  despise  !  "  May  I  value  this 
far  above  all  the  poor  glory  of  this  transient  world,  and 
never  be  satisfied  but  in  being  a  "  new  creature  in  Christ 
Jesus." 

3.  THE  NATURE  AND  OBJECTS  OF  FAITH. 

Faith  is  a  belief  of  what  we  are  informed  of  by  another. 
Divine  faith  is  such  a  belief  of  what  God  says  in  his  word 
as  to  become  "  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for  and  the 
evidence  of  things  not  seen."  It  gives  a  real  existence,  not 
only  to  the  mind,  but  also  to  the  heart,  of  unseen  things 
which,  without  this  faith,  have  no  influence  upon  us,  but 
which,  believed  with  the  heart,  govern  all  our  principles, 


2.36 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


affections  and  conduct.  It  is  therefore  far  more  than  a 
bare  assent  of  the  understanding,  a  sure  trust  and  confi- 
dence in  God,  a  calm  rehance  on  his  faithfulness  and  good- 
ness, a  will  choosing  him,  and  a  heart  trusting  in  him  for 
essential  parts  of  scriptural  truth.  See  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land's definition  of  faith,  in  the  Homily  on  Salvation. 

Man  first  fell  from  God  by  disbelieving  what  God  had 
told  him,  and  crediting  what  Satan,  his  great  enemy  sug- 
gested to  his  mind.  Surrounded  with  innumerable  proofs 
of  God's  love,  he  rejected  them  all,  under  the  temptation  of 
attaining  something  better  and  higher,  without  God,  and  in 
opposition  to  his  will. 

Similar  are  Satan's  temptations  to  the  present  day  :  and 
all  our  recovery  is  by  returning  to  entire  confidence  in 
God,  and  unreserved  obedience  to  the  revelation  of  his 
word. 

The  truth  of  tlie  Bible  as  being  really  the  word  of  the 
living  God,  has  already  been  stated,  (ch.  1.)  The  rejection 
of  that  truth  through  unbelief,  is  wholly  a  man's  own 
fault ;  while  the  reception  of  it  is  wholly  of  divine  grace. 
This,  which  appears  a  contradiction  to  the  proud,  unhum- 
bled  heart,  is  a  holy  and  joyful  truth  to  the  real  believer. 
But  indeed  it  is  one  part  of  the  great  office  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  convince  the  world  of  sin,  because  of  its  unbelief 
in  the  Son  of  God.  John  xvi.  9.  The  pride  of  heart,  and 
love  of  sin,  which  are  the  grand  impediments  to  the  un- 
derstanding and  the  reception  of  truth,  (Prov.  sxviii.  5,) 
are  voluntary  impediments,  because  God  has  jjromised  to 
remove  them  if  we  will  look  to  him.  Ezek.  xxxvi.  20,  27, 
31,  87.  But  men  choose  to  retain  their  proud  and  high 
thoughts  of  themselves,  and  to  indulge  their  lusts,  rather 
than  come  to  Christ  for  life,  and  then  seek  to  charge  all  the 
fault  of  this  on  God,  and  refuse  to  be  convinced,  till  there 
be  no  remedy.  Thus  God's  awful  judgments  become  ne- 
cessary, and  they  will  assuredly  fall  upon  those  who  by 
hardness  of  heart,  and  persevering  impenitence,  "  treasure 
up  for  themselves  wrath  against  the  day  of  wrath." 

The  workings  of  faith  in  the  word  of  God,  are  varied  ac- 
cording to  the  varied  objects  of  faith  there  set  before  us. 


REPENTANCE  AND  FAITH. 


237 


God,  our  Father,  is  the  chief  object  of  faith  ;  as  infinite 
in  power,  holiness  and  love  ;  everywhere  present ;  alto- 
gether righteous  and  gracious  ;  so  deeply  concerned  in  all 
that  concerns  us,  that  the  very  hairs  of  our  head  are  all 
numbered  by  him.  Faith  in  these  truths  is  the  first  step 
in  religion,  "  without  which  it  is  impossible  to  please  God  ; 
for  he  that  cometh  to  God  must  believe  that  he  is,  and  that 
he  is  a  rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek  him." 

Jesus  Christ,  the  only -begotten  Son  of  God,  the  re- 
vealer  of  the  Father,  and  the  brightness  of  his  glory,  is 
everywhere  set  before  the  cliurch  of  God  as  another  pri- 
mary object  of  faith,  from  the  first  promise, — "The  seed  of 
the  woman  shall  bruise  the  head  of  the  serpent," — to  the 
last  testimony,  "  Surely  I  come  quickly."  Faith  then  will 
contemplate  him  in  all  his  original  riches  and  glory,  as  one 
with  the  Father  before  the  world  was  ;  in  all  the  greatness 
of  his  love,  undertaking  to  become  man  to  atone  for  our 
guilt,  in  all  the  depth  of  his  humiliation,  the  completeness 
of  his  redemption,  and  the  glories  of  his  resurrection,  and 
of  his  coming  again.  Looking  at  these  things,  faith  fills  the 
heart  with  love,  and  enables  us  "  to  rejoice  with  joy  un- 
speakable, and  full  of  glory." 

Faith  regards  this  Saviour  also  in  all  his  varied  offices  ; 
as  our  Prophet  he  is  divinely  appointed  to  teach  and  de- 
clare the  Father  to  us.  John  xvii.  2G.  And  faitli  rejoices 
in  having  such  an  infallible  Teacher.  As  our  High  Priest, 
he  has  an  unchangealile  priesthood  ;  and  faith  gladly  thus 
approaches  to  God  by  him.  As  our  King,  he  reigns  now  a 
Prince  and  a  Saviour,  to  give  all  those  gifts  which  he  has 
received  for  the  rebellious,  and  he  shall  soon  return  to  reign 
over  the  whole  world.  Rev.  xi.  15.  Faith  exults  in  this, 
and  anticipates  the  universal  song — "  Alleluia,  for  the  Lord 
God  omnipotent  reigneth."  Rev.  xix.  6. 

Faith  is  also  exercised  with  reference  to  the  Holy  Spi- 
rit. The  Bible  says  much  of  him  throughout,  from  the 
first  statement  concerning  him,  that  the  Spirit  of  God 
moved  on  the  face  of  the  waters,  to  the  last  mention  of  him, 
as  leading  the  general  invitation  to  the  Saviour,  of  the 


238 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


church,  and  all  that  hear  it  ;  "  The  Spirit  and  the  bride 
say  come,  and  let  him  that  heareth  say  come."  Faith  sted- 
fasth'  receives  all  this  divine  testimony  concerning  the 
Holy  Ghost ;  knows  that  he  is  given  to  believers  ;  ear- 
nestly seeks  this  precious  gift  in  prayer,  and  finds  that  it 
is  given  to  them  that  ask.  Oh  how  precious  are  the  exer- 
cises of  faith  through  which  we  are  led  by  the  Spirit,  re- 
ceive the  spirit  of  adoption,  walk  in  the  Spirit,  and  bring 
forth  all  his  gracious  fruit  ! 

The  approaching  judgment  of  the  great  day  of  the  Lord, 
the  threatenings  of  future  wrath,  and  the  revelation  of  fu- 
ture glory,  furnish  other  important,  unspeakably  important 
objects  of  faith,  in  the  realising  of  which  the  believer  finds 
most  powerful  motives  to  live  above  this  present  world,  to 
flee  from  all  its  corruptions,  and  walk  with  God.  Thus 
"by  faith"  the  Israelites,  believing  God's  threatenings, 
"  kept  the  passover  and  the  sprinkling  of  blood,  lest  he  that 
destroyed  the  fii'st-born  should  touch  them."  Thus  St. 
Paul  felt  it  a  "  small  matter  to  be  judged  of  man's  judg- 
ment," bearing  in  mind  that  it  was  the  Lord  that  judged 
liim,  and  so  he  ever  sought  in  all  his  labours  to  be  accepted 
of  him.  2  Cor.  v.  9.  Thus  he  went  through  all  his  afflic- 
tions, in  the  spirit  of  faith,  without  fainting,  knowing  that 
they  "  worked  for  him  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal 
weight  of  glory." 

Meditation. 

See  then,  my  soul,  how  important  it  is  to  study  diligently 
the  word  of  God,  in  which  are  set  before  us  all  the  varied 
objects  of  faith,  by  which  that  grace  is  given,  called  forth, 
exercised  and  increased.  If  I  would  be  strong  in  faith,  I 
must  consider  much  the  objects  of  faith.  Let  me  not  spend 
my  strength,  therefore,  in  curious  inquiries  about  the  mean- 
ing of  faith,  but  set  its  bright  objects  before  me  as  revealed 
in  the  Bible,  and  may  I  find  by  the  light  and  holj'  comfort 
which  they  give  me,  that  I  do  truly  believe. 


REPENTANCE  AND  FAITH. 


239 


4.  ON  EXAMPLES  OF  FAITH. 

It  is  the  general  principle  of  scripture,  "  the  just  live  by 
faith  ;  "  there  is  a  life  peculiar  to  the  just,  and  that  life  is 
attained  and  continued  by  faith.  We  see  this  great  truth 
exemplified  in  the  lives  of  all  God's  people,  and  the  varied 
manifestations  of  it  in  different  lives,  vpill  help  us  to  see  the 
excellence  and  importance  of  faith. 

Abel  is  the  first  example  set  before  us  in  the  word  of 
God,  His  faith  regarded  the  "  Lamb  of  God  which  taketli 
away  the  sins  of  the  world,"  and  which  was  slain  from 
the  foundation  of  the  world,  "  and  by  faith  he  offered  unto 
God  a  more  excellent  sacrifice  than  Cain."  May  he, 
though  dead,  thus  speak  to  us,  as  to  the  unutterable  impor- 
tance of  regarding  God's  appointed  method  of  drawing  near 
to  him. 

Enoch  is  a  second  striking  example  of  faith,  in  its  vic- 
tory over  death.  "  By  faith  Enoch  was  translated,  that  he 
should  not  see  death,  and  was  not  found,  because  God  had 
translated  him,  for  before  his  translation  he  had  this  testi- 
mony, tliat  he  pleased  God."  A  similar  victory  in  spirit  is 
given  to  every  believer  now.  Our  Lord  says  "  Whosoever 
liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never  die."  John  ii.  26. 
"  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto  you,  if  a  man  keep  my  saying 
he  shall  never  see  death."  John  viii.  51.  It  is  not  death, 
to  say  as  Paul  did,  "  I  desire  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ." 
It  is  not  death,  when  we  can  see  heaven  open,  and  pray  for 
our  murderers  as  Stephen  did,  and  cry  out  "  Lord  Jesus, 
receive  my  spirit."  We  are  more  than  conquerors  over 
this  and  every  other  enemy,  and  translated  in  spirit  now 
beyond  its  sting,  even  as  Enoch  was,  far  above  all  its  bitter- 
ness ;  and  we  are  expecting  to  be  translated  at  the  coming 
of  our  Lord  with  glorified  bodies,  and  ever  to  be  with  him. 

Noah  was  anotber  cxamjile  of  faith,  enabling  a  man  to  ' 
stand  alone,  unmoved  by  the  apostacy  from  God  of  the 
whole  world.   He  believed  God's  threatenings  of  the  deluge, 
and  thence  "  by  faith  Noah  being  warned  of  God  of  things 


240 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


not  seen  as  yet,  moved  with  fear,  prepared  an  ark,  to  the 
saving  of  his  house."  By  a  similar  faith  in  the  threaten- 
ing of  a  second  destruction  of  our  world  by  fii-e  at  the 
coming  of  our  Lord,  we  shall  be  enabled  to  confess  God's 
truth,  and  prepare  for  his  coming  judgment ;  withstand  - 
ing error,  however  generally  approved,  and  evil,  however 
generally  practised  ! 

Abraham's  faith  was  so  remarkable,  that  he  is  called 
"the  father  of  us  all.  Notice  his  faith,  among  other 
things,  in  his  seeing  God's  love  in  his  severest  commands. 
He  is  bidden,  at  the  very  first,  "Get  thee  out  of  thy  country, 
and  from  thy  kindred,  and  from  thy  father's  house  :  "  and 
believing  the  promises,  the  faithfulness,  and  the  love  of 
God,  "  By  faith  Abraham,  when  he  was  called  to  go  out 
into  a  place  which  he  should  after  receive  for  an  inherit- 
ance, obeyed."  We  see  a  still  higher  example  of  the  same 
confidence  in  God's  love,  in  his  ready  obedience  to  another 
apparently  most  severe  and  hard  command  :  But  God  gave 
Abraham  faith  equal  to  his  trial.  "  By  faith,  Abraham, 
when  he  was  tried,  offered  up  Isaac."  He  thus  received 
that  most  august  of  all  titles,  he  was  called  "  the  friend  of 
God."    Isaiah  xli.  8. 

We  will  notice  one  more  illustrious  example  of  the  same 
faith ; — Moses,  in  his  superiority  to  all  the  allurements  of 
this  world.  His  temporal  prospects  of  earthly  honours, 
riches  and  pleasures,  as  the  adopted  child  of  Pharaoh,  were 
most  seductive  and  flattering.  Every  thing  that  this  world 
could  give  he  might  hope  for,  by  entering  into  worldly 
plans  ;  all  these  were  forfeited  by  joining  the  despised  and 
oppressed  people  of  God.  He  did  this  even  when  they 
were,  as  we  see,  in  a  state  of  great  unbelief  and  hardness  of 
heart  ;  yet  he  despised  them  not,  because  the  promise,  the 
truth,  and  the  service  of  God  were  really  with  them. 

These  various  examples  will  make  plain  to  you  the  real 
character  and  excellence  of  faith.  0  may  they  stir  you 
up.  Christian  reader,  to  be  a  "follower  of  those  who,  through 
faith  and  patience,  have  inherited  the  promises." 


REPENTANCE  AND  FAITH. 


241 


Prayer  for  the  faith  .of  God's  elect. 

0  thou,  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
give  me  grace  to  tread  in  the  footsteps  of  the  flock  of 
Clirist,  and  be  in  my  life  another  proof  and  evidence  that 
the  faith  of  God's  elect  is  still  imparted  to  men  on  earth. 
And  above  and  beyond  all,  may  I  be  looking  to  Jesus,  the 
Author  and  Finisher  of  faith  ;  at  his  sufferings  and  his 
glory,  and  truly  follow  him,  for  his  name's  sake. 

5.  PROOFS  OF  FAITH. 

Faith  being  so  precious  a  grace,  it  need  not  surprise  us 
that  there  should  be  many  counterfeit  faiths  in  the  world  ; 
many  who  say  that  they  have  faith,  and  yet  what  they 
would  rest  in  as  faith  is  dead,  barren  and  unprofitable. 

The  epistle  of  St.  James  is  full  of  tests  and  evidences  by 
which  we  may  distinguish  real  faith  from  the  counterfeit 
resemblance  of  it.  Where  there  is  only  a  counterfeit  faith, 
a  man  will  ask  blessings  of  God,  but  with  a  wavering, 
unbelieving  mind,  full  of  doubts,  wliethcr  God  hears. 
Where  there  is  only  a  counterfeit  faith,  men  will  charge 
God  with  their  sins  and  temptations — they  will  be  hearers 
only  of  the  word,  and  not  doers,  deceiving  their  own  souls 
— they  will  greatly  respect  outward  rank  and  appearance, 
and  despise  the  poor — they  will  make  a  charitable  profes- 
sion, but  give  the  poor  none  of  those  things  wl)ich  are  need- 
ful for  the  body — they  will  have  an  unbridled  tongue,  with 
envying,  strife,  confusion,  and  every  evil  work — they  will 
be  heaping  up  treasures  together — little  aware  of  the  testi- 
mony which  those  treasures  will  furnish  against  them. 
These  are  marks  which  St.  James  gives  us  of  an  unprofit- 
able faith.  "  For  as  the  body  without  the  spirit  is  dead, 
so  faith  without  works  is  dead  also." 

In  contrast  with  all  this,  real  faith  counts  it  all  joy  to 
fall  into  divers  temptations,  knowing  that  "  Blessed  is  the 
man  that  endureth  temptation."  By  real  faith  "  a  man 
looketh  into  the  perfect  law  of  liberty  and  continues  therein, 


242 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


and  being  not  a  forgetful  hearer  but  a  doer  of  the  work, 
this  man  shall  be  blessed  in  his  deed."  Real  faith  regards 
the  poor  man  as  a  brother,  seeing  God  has  "chosen  the 
poor  of  this  world,  rich  in  faith,  and  heirs  of  the  kingdom 
which  he  has  promised  to  them  that  love  him."  Real  faith 
is  full  of  love,  and  rejoices  "  to  shew  mercy."  Real  faith 
is  followed  by  the  ready  sacrifice  of  the  dearest  earthly 
good  at  the  command  of  God.  Real  faith  gives  a  man  that 
heavenly  wisdom  "  that  is  from  above,  and  is  first  pure, 
then  peaceable,  gentle,  easy  to  be  entreated,  full  of  mercy 
and  of  good  fruits,  without  partiality  and  without  hypo- 
crisy." In  short,  I'eal  faith  is  "  patient  unto  the  coming 
of  the  Lord/'  expecting  then  its  full  recompense  and 
blessedness. 

There  is  another  counterfeit  faith  of  a  different  kind,  but 
full  of  danger  also,  which  St.  Paul  describes  as  "  having  a 
form  of  godliness,  but  denying  the  power  thereof."  This 
counterfeit  faith  leads  a  man  to  magnify  outward  things, 
the  rites  and  observances  that  are  seen  of  men,  and  the 
uniformity  of  the  visible  church,  that  is,  a  mere  unity  in 
outside  things,  rather  than  the  oneness  of  a  living  spirit, 
which  makes  the  whole  church  of  Christ  one.  "  There  is 
one  body  and  one  spirit,  even  as  ye  are  called  in  one  hope 
of  your  calling,  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism,  one  God 
and  Father  of  all,  who  is  above  all,  and  through  all,  and 
in  you  all."  This  was  seen  when  the  Jews  rejected  Christ. 
We  behold  this  in  its  full  evil  in  Popery,  but  there  is  much 
of  the  same  spirit  in  all  Protestant  churches,  and  we  need 
to  be  very  watchful  against  that  which  is  so  easy  and  satis- 
factory to  the  carnal  heart, — "  going  about  to  establish  our 
own  righteousness,  and  not  submitting  to  the  righteousness 
of  God." 

Our  Lord  gives  a  very  discriminating  and  full  guide  on 
this  subject  ;  by  the  comparison  of  a  good  tree  and  an  evil 
tree.  Warning  us  against  false  prophets  which  should 
come  in  sheep's  clothing,  but  inwardly  be  ravening  wolves  : 
and  such  false  prophets  have,  alas,  infested  all  professing 
churches  of  Christ,  He  says,  "  Ye  shall  know  them  by 
their  fruits." 


REPENTANCE  AND  FAITH. 


243 


Meditation. 

How  important  is  that  charge,  "  Examine  yourselves 
whether  ye  he  in  tlie  faith,  prove  yourselves  !"  May  God 
ever  preserve  me  from  a  vain  delusive  faith,  content  with 
a  mere  approval  of  truth  or  profession  of  faith,  without  its 
happy  efficacy  in  sanctifying  and  making  us  free  from  the 
bondage  of  sin  and  Satan  ! 

6.  MEANS  OF  INCREASING  FAITH. 

Faith  is  the  gift  of  God.  This  is  made  clear  by  many 
testimonies  of  scripture.  "  Every  good  gift  and  every 
perfect  gift  is  from  above,  and  cometh  down  from  the  Fa- 
ther of  lights."  The  Philippians  are  assured,  "  Unto  you 
it  is  given,  in  the  hehalf  of  Christ,  not  only  to  believe  in 
him,  but  also  to  suffer  for  his  sake."  The  same  truth  is 
included  in  the  general  statement  of  the  way  of  salvation, 
"  By  grace  are  ye  saved  through  faith,  and  that  not  of 
yourselves,  it  is  the  gift  of  God." 

But  this  gift  is  bestowed  in  the  use  of  means  :  and  the 
word  of  God  is  the  special  means  of  attaining  it.  "  Faith 
cometh  by  hearing,  and  hearing  by  the  word  of  God.  How 
shall  they  believe  in  him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard  ?" 
That  word  is  so  sure  a  ground  and  warrant  of  faith,  that 
if  men  "  hear  not  Moses  and  the  prophets,  neither  will 
they  be  persuaded  though  one  ruse  from  the  dead." 

The  order  of  the  communication  of  the  divine  gifts  is 
throughout  such  as  to  give  all  the  glory  of  our  salvation 
to  God,  and  yet  to  afford  the  utmost  encouragement  to 
every  human  being  that  hears  his  word,  to  attend  to  it  and 
confide  in  it.  How  the  apostle  gives  glory  to  God,  when 
he  says  to  the  Thessalonians,  "  We  thank  God  without 
ceasing,  because  when  ye  received  the  word  of  God  which 
ye  heard  of  us,  ye  received  it  not  as  the  word  of  men,  but, 
as  it  is  in  truth,  the  word  of  God,  which  effectually  work- 
eth  in  you  also  that  believe."  So  he  blesses  the  "  God  and 
Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus,"  that  the  Ephesians  trusted  iu 

R  2 


244 


CHRISTIAN-  TRUTH 


Christ,  "  after  that  ye  heard  the  word  of  truth,  the  gospel 
of  your  salvation,  in  whom  also,  after  that  ye  believed,  j'e 
were  sealed  with  the  Holy  Spirit  of  promise."  Thus  the 
reception  of  one  gift  prepares  the  heart  for  the  communi- 
cation of  another  and  another,  that  the  believer  may  be 
more  and  more  enriched  with  spiritual  blessings. 

Do  you  want  to  know  how  to  gain  faith  ?  Ask  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  shew  you  the  sin  of  unbelief.  John  xvi.  9.  Dili- 
gently search  the  scriptures  with  prayer.  Cry  out  to  the 
Father  of  mercies  for  this  his  precious  gift  of  faith.  Pray 
with  the  poor  afflicted  father,  "  Lord,  I  believe,  help  thou 
mine  unbelief."  Wait  upon  him,  and  we  can  assure  you 
in  the  name  of  the  great  God,  that  you  shall  not  wait  in 
vain.    "  They  that  seek  shall.find." 

Do  you  ask  how  you  may  increase  and  gi'ow  in  faith  ? 
You  need  still  the  same  means.  To  have  more  and  more 
the  objects  of  faith,  as  set  before  you  in  the  scriptures, 
brought  before  your  mind,  meditated  upon  and  prayed 
over,  is  the  way  to  have  our  faith  enlarged.  "  Lord,  in- 
crease our  faith,"  was  a  prayer  of  the  apostles,  wliich  it 
well  becomes  us  often  to  use. 

But  the  di\-ine  way  of  its  increasing  may  be  very  differ- 
ent to  our  expectations.  When  Abraham  asked,  "  Lord, 
whereby  shall  I  know  that  I  shall  inherit  the  land,"  the 
covenant  was  renewed  when  "  a  horror  of  great  darkness 
fell  upon  him."  And  so  now,  faith  must  be  tried  like  gold 
in  the  fire,  that  it  may  be  wholly  purified,  "  and  found 
unto  praise,  and  honour,  and  glory  at  the  appearing  of 
Jesus  Christ."  Thus  it  was  when  the  Thessalonians  were 
brought  into  persecutions  and  tribulations,  the  apostle  says 
to  them,  "  We  are  bound  to  thank  God  alwaj-s  for 
you,  brethren,  as  it  is  meet,  because  yoxxT  faith  groweth 
exceedingly." 

The  things  of  this  world  have  a  tendency  to  deaden 
faith  ;  '•'  the  lust  of  the  flesh,  the  lust  of  the  eye,  and  the 
pride  of  life,"  are  all  contrary  and  opposed  to  faith  :  sight 
and  sense  are  opposed  to  faith  and  spiritualit}-.  Hence  the 
apostle  describes  the  Christian  life  thus,  "  We  walk  by 


REPENTANCE  AND  FAITH. 


245 


faith,  and  not  by  sight."  In  proportion,  then,  as  we  love 
and  follow  the  world,  faith  becomes  weaker.  In  propor- 
tion as  we  look  "  not  at  the  things  which  are  seen,  but  at 
the  things  which  are  not  seen,"  faith  becomes  stronger,  till 
the  soul  arrives  at  full  confidence  in  all  God's  promises, 
however  beyond  our  reasonable  hope, — as  Abraham  did. 
"  He  staggered  not  at  the  promise  of  God  through  unbe- 
lief, but  was  strong  in  faith,  giving  glory  to  God." 

Do  not  then  be  surprised,  if  the  way  by  which  it  pleases 
God  to  increase  your  faith,  at  first  only  shews  you  your 
soul  full  of  darkness,  sin,  and  unbelief.  We  often  think 
ourselves  rich  and  increased  with  goods,  and  to  have  need  of 
nothing,  at  the  very  time  we  are  most  poor  and  empty. 
We  do  not  even  seek  the  true  riches  till  we  feel  our  po- 
verty. "  Then  shall  we  know,  if  we  follow  on  to  know  the 
Lord."  Give  up  yourself  to  his  guidance.  By  his  word 
without,  by  his  Spirit  within,  by  the  constant  voice  of 
conscience,  he  will  lead  you.  Observe  the  promise,  "  I  will 
instruct  thee  and  teach  thee  in  the  way  which  thou  shalt 
go  ;  I  will  guide  thee  with  mine  eye."  Observe  the  all- 
important  warning,  "  Be  ye  not  as  the  horse  or  the  mule, 
which  have  no  understanding."  God  means  in  every 
thing  your  good.  You  may  be  sure  of  it  by  the  gift  of  his 
Son  to  die  for  you.  Harden  not,  then,  your  heart  against 
him,  but  believe  his  love  in  all  your  sorrows  and  afflictions  ; 
let  them  shew  you  indeed  your  sinfulness  and  the  evil  of 
sin,  but  let  them  be  to  you  as  the  salutary  medicine  by 
which  God  would  heal  you  of  that  disease  of  sin,  which  is 
the  real  source  of  all  evil. 

Prayer  for  faith. 

Source  of  every  good  and  perfect  gift,  Father  of  mercies, 
and  God  of  all  comfort,  who  seest  my  fallen  condition  and 
misery  through  unbelief,  and  hast  appointed  faith  as  the 
means  of  ray  recovery,  I  entreat  thee  give  unto  me  that 
most  precious  gift  of  lively  and  saving  faith,  taking  away 
all  unbelief  from  my  heart,  and  enabling  me  to  rest  entirely 
on  thy  word,  thy  faithfulness,  and  thy  loving-kindness, 
through  Jesus,  my  Redeemer. 


246 


CHRISTIAX  TRUTH 


I.  THE  TRIUMPHS  OF  FAITH. 

The  apostle,  after  speaking  of  some  of  the  many  sorrows 
through  which  he  had  to  pass  in  preaching  the  gospel  to 
the  Gentiles,  and  the  consolations  which  he  received,  comes 
to  this  joyful  conclusion,  "  Thanks  be  unto  God  which 
alwavs  causeth  us  to  triumph  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  maketh 
manifest  the  savour  of  his  knowledge  by  us  in  every  place." 
How  severe  that  conflict  in  which  the  humble  disciples  of 
the  Lord  were  engaged,  with  all  the  powers  of  the  whole 
world,  and  Satan,  its  god,  arrayed  against  them  !  They 
triumphed  over  all,  through  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
United  in  him  they  were  constant  victors,  and  in  the  full 
assurance  of  joy  exclaim,  "  In  all  these  things  we  are  more 
than  conquerors  through  him  that  loved  us !  "' 

The  scriptures  are  the  records  of  the  triumphs  of  faith. 
They  are  full  of  proofs  of  the  power  of  this  mightj"  grace, 
by  which  human  weakness  is  so  strengthened  with  divine 
power,  as  to  be  able  "  to  do  all  things  through  Christ  which 
strengtheneth  us." 

In  the  11th  of  Hebrews  the  apostle  brings  into  one  con- 
centrated view  the  varied  triumphs  of  the  Old  Testament 
saints,  "  who  through  faith  subdued  kingdoms,  wTOught 
righteousness,  obtained  promises,  stopped  the  mouths  of 
lions,  quenched  the  violence  of  fire,  escaped  the  edge  of 
the  sword,  out  of  weakness  were  made  strong,  waxed  va- 
liant in  fight,  and  turned  to  flight  the  armies  of  the  aliens." 

Every  step  in  faith  is  a  triumph  over  our  fallen  nature 
and  inward  corruption.  When  the  gospel  of  God's  love  to 
us  sinners  is  first  proclaimed,  Satan  endeavours  to  stir  up 
our  corrupt  nature  to  resist  it  as  incredible,  or  to  abuse  it, 
as  if  God  were  indiff'erent  to  sin.  Faith  triumphs  over 
those  temptations,  and  in  the  death  of  God's  only  Son  sees 
his  infinite  hatred  of  sin,  and  his  inexpressible  love  to  us 
sinners,  and  joyfully  receives  the  good  message.  When 
the  paths  of  holiness  are  set  before  us  as  the  paths  of  true 
peace,  joy  and  happiness,  our  corrupt  nature  shrinks  and 


REPENTANCE  AND  FAITH. 


247 


sees  only  the  death  of  all  its  pleasures,  and  the  end  of  all 
its  hope.  Real  faith  trusts  God  when  it  cannot  see  where 
he  is  leading  us  ;  is  sure  that  he  who  gave  his  Son  to  die 
for  us  must  mean  our  best  good,  and  being  infinite  in 
wisdom  and  power,  he  cannot  be  disappointed  in  his  plans, 
and  so  walks  in  the  paths  of  Christ,  and  finds  them  "  ways 
of  pleasantness." 

The  same  triumphs  are  seen  in  faith's  victory  over  the 
world.  "  This  is  the  victory  that  overcometh  the  world, 
even  our  faith."  Never  do  we  see  victory  over  the  world 
in  all  its  varied  seductions,  "  the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  the  lust 
of  the  eye,  and  the  pride  of  life,"  but  through  simple  faith 
in  Jesus  the  son  of  God.  The  amazing  truth  that  God's 
only  Son  became  man  and  died  for  us,  realized  by  faith, 
deadens  this  world  and  all  its  glories,  whilst  it  opens  to  us 
an  infinitely  more  glorious  world  to  come.  What  victories 
over  the  world,  in  the  whole  series  of  Christian  martyr- 
doms under  Pagan  and  Papal  oppressors,  does  the  history 
of  the  Christian  Church  open  to  us  !  The  same  victories 
are  won  daily  in  tlie  more  private  experience  of  the  Chris- 
tian. In  the  conflicts  with  self-indulgence  and  self-grati- 
fication, in  the  firm  standing  against  the  course  of  this 
world,  in  loving  Christ  more  than  father  or  mother,  or  the 
dearest  earthly  friend,  in  the  daily  taking  up  our  cross  and 
following  Christ,  in  the  mortification  of  pride,  vanity,  and 
every  unholy  temper,  in  returning  good  for  evil,  in  prefer- 
ing  poverty,  with  a  good  conscience,  to  wealth  without, 
and,  in  short,  in  the  whole  of  his  path,  the  Christian  strug- 
gles with  and  overcomes  the  world. 

Once  more,  the  last  enemy,  "  death,  is  vanquished  by 
faith."  How  exulting  the  apostle's  appeal !  "  Death  is 
swallowed  up  in  victory  !  "  To  a  mind  duly  awakened  to 
the  righteousness  and  holiness  of  God  and  our  own  sinful- 
ness, the  separation  of  body,  and  spirit,  the  coming  before 
God's  presence  at  death,  and  the  account  to  be  then  ren- 
dered, may  well  gender  terror  and  bondage.  But  faith 
shews  us  the  victory  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  over  this 
enemy,  and  our  heavenly  Father's  love  to  us  in  death  itself. 


248 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Faith  is  thus  enabled  to  enumerate  death  as  ours  as  well  as 
life,  and  even  to  "desire  to  depart  and  be  with  Christ,  as 
far  better."  Looking  yet  farther,  faith  can  see  death  itself 
abolished  in  that  world  to  come,  where  "  there  shall  be  no 
more  death,  neither  sorrow  nor  crying,  neither  shall  there 
be  any  more  pain." 

But  would  you  see  all  triumphs  combined  in  one,  look 
at  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  our  faith,  our  Head  and 
Representative,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  humbling  himself 
to  wear  our  form,  and  in  that  form  sustaining  one  conti- 
nued conflict  with  evil  all  his  days,  gaining  victories  over 
every  temptation  of  the  enemy.  "  Though  he  were  a  Son, 
yet  learned  he  obedience  by  the  things  which  he  suff"ered." 
Before  he  entered  on  his  ministry,  his  faith,  laying  hold  of 
God's  word,  baffled  all  the  guile  and  malice  of  Satan.  In 
the  mysterious  conflict  in  Gethsemane,  though  it  was  the 
hour  of  wicked  men  and  the  power  of  darkness,  his  faith 
never  failed,  nor  did  he  ever  withdraw  his  entire  confidence 
in  his  Father  ;  nor  retract  the  entire  surrender,  "  Not  my 
will,  but  tliine  be  done."  On  the  accursed  tree  itself  was 
the  full  consummation  of  this  triumph  ;  "  the  Captain  of 
our  salvation  was  made  perfect  through  suffering."  While 
his  enemies  were  revelling  in  their  fancied  triumphs,  and 
Satan  seemed  completely  victorious,  "  Through  death  he 
destroyed  him  that  had  the  power  of  death,  that  is,  the 
Devil,"  and  not  only  attained  his  own  joy  and  glory,  but 
"  delivered  them  who  through  fear  of  death  were  all  their 
lifetime  subject  to  bondage."  0  the  wonders  of  that  cross  ! 
There  we  may  see  Jesus  "  forgiving  us  all  trespasses,  blot- 
ting out  the  handwriting  of  ordinances  which  was  against 
us,  which  was  contrary  to  us,  and  took  it  out  of  the  way, 
nailing  it  to  his  cross,  and  having  spoiled  principalities  and 
powers,  he  made  a  show  of  them  openly,  triumphing  over 
them  in  it."  You  behold  a  mighty  Conqueror,  in  his  great- 
est weakness  giving  a  place  in  paradise  to  his  fellow-suf- 
ferer, darkening  the  sun,  shaking  the  earth,  bursting  his 
own  tomb,  rending  the  tombs  of  many  of  his  saints,  and 
xaising  them  with  him,  founding  his  church,  ascending  to 


REPENTANCE  AND  FAITH. 


249 


lieaven,  sending  his  omnipotent  Spirit,  and  beginning  the 
new  creation  of  all  things.  Survey  this  ti-iumph  till  your 
heart  glow  within  you.  Survey  this  triumph  till  you  long 
to  be  baptized  with  his  baptism,  and  enter  into  the  fellow- 
ship of  his  sufferings. 

Thanksgiving. 

Thanks  be  unto  thee,  0  merciful  Father,  thanks  be  unto 
thee  for  all  that  amazing  love  which  has  provided  so  fully 
for  my  immediate,  daily,  and  entire  return  to  thee,  and  for 
full  assurance  of  thy  loving-kindness  to  me.  Thanks  be 
unto  thee  above  all  for  that  unspeakable  gift,  the  pledge  of 
every  other,  the  gift  of  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  to  be  my 
Saviour,  and  his  exaltation,  to  bestow  all  the  gifts  which 
my  sinful  soul  needs. 

0  give  me  grace  to  believe  all  this  love,  and  to  shew  forth 
continually  thy  praises,  through  the  same  thy  Son  Jesus 
Christ,  my  Lord.  Amen. 


250 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

CHRISTIAN  HOLINESS. 

1.  The  true  measure  of  holiness — 2.  The  nature  of  holiness — 3.  Holy  affec- 
tions to  God— 4.  Holy  affections  to  man — 5.  Personal  holiness — 6.  The  defects 
of  our  holiness — 7.  The  means  by  which  holiness  is  attained. 

1.  THE  TRUE  MEASURE  OF  HOLINESS. 

All  scripture  teaches,  and  all  experience  proves,  that  man 
is  in  a  sinful  and  evil  state  ;  full  of  unholy  feelings  and 
desires  ;  afar  off  from  God,  and  delighting  in  vain  things 
that  cannot  profit.  How  is  this  sinful  and  evil  creature 
to  be  recovered  from  his  polluted  state,  and  brought  into  a 
holy  and  happy  condition  ?  How  is  he  to  be  made  meet 
to  dwell  with  God,  and  to  be  a  companion  of  and  equal 
with  angels,  and  among  the  spirits  of  just  men  made 
perfect  ? 

The  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the  provision  of 
God's  mercy,  wisdom,  and  loving-kindness  for  this  great 
change.  Its  object  is  to  raise  men  from  their  present 
ruined  state  as  sinners,  to  the  exalted  character  of  saints, 
that  they  may  be  really  blessed  through  eternity.  All  the 
doctrines,  promises,  threatenings,  warnings,  and  precepts 
of  the  gospel  have  this  end  in  view. 

But  let  us  rather  direct  our  attention  to  the  view  given 
us  in  the  scriptures  of  the  divine  excellence  and  glory,  as 
the  motive  and  measure  for  our  holiness.  "  I  am  the  Lord 
your  God,  ye  shall  therefore  sanctify  yourselves,  and  ye 
shall  be  holy,  for  I  am  holy.  Lev.  xi.  44.  This  is  often 
repeated.    Lev.  xix.  2  ;  xx.  7,  26.    And  it  is  pressed  upon 


CHRISTIAN  HOLINESS. 


251 


us  in  the  New  Testament.  "  As  he  which  hath  called  you 
is  holy,  so  be  j'e  holy  in  all  manner  of  conversation,  be- 
cause it  is  written.  Be  ye  holy,  for  I  am  holy."  1  Peter  i. 
1.5,  16. 

'  The  holiness  of  God,'  observes  Mr.  Wisheart,  '  is  that 
wherein  the  divine  excellence  does  chiefly  consist.  There- 
fore it  is  the  most  frequent  epithet  given  to  his  name  in 
scripture.  We  never  read  '  mighty  name  '  or  '  wise  name,' 
but  frequently  "  holy  name."  This  is  his  great  title  of 
honour;  that  wherein  the  divine  majesty  is  most  illustrious. 
The  holiness  of  God  is  his  glory  and  beauty.  Therefore  he 
is  said  to  be  "  glorious  in  holiness."  He  is  mighty  in  power 
and  rich  in  grace,  but  glorious  in  holiness.  It  renders  him 
glorious  to  himself,  and  glorious  to  all  that  understand 
what  holiness  is.  The  seraphim  and  the  four  living  crea- 
tures praise  his  holiness,  saying,  "  holy,  holy,  holy."  We 
do  not  find  any  other  attribute  thus  thrice  repeated  ;  it  is 
never  said  wise,  wise,  wise  ;  or  merciful,  merciful,  merci- 
ful. Hence  it  is  also  that  God  singles  out  this  attribute  to 
swear  by,  as  eminently  marking  its  peculiar  excellency. 
"  Once  have  I  sworn  by  my  holiness,  that  I  will  not  lie 
unto  David."  ' 

Holiness  being  the  glory  of  God,  is  also  the  excellence 
and  happiness  of  which  he  would  have  us  to  be  full  par- 
takers and  sharers.  He  is  that  overflowing  fountain  of 
goodness  and  l)lessedness,  which  never  ceases  to  bless  others, 
and  with  the  design  of  making  them  a  blessing. 

What,  then,  is  the  divine  holiness  :  the  holiness  of  God  ? 
Indeed  we  cannot  fathom  its  full  glory,  as  all  that  con- 
cerns God  is  infinitely  beyond  our  highest  thoughts.  It 
may  be  viewed,  in  regard  to  outward  things,  as  altogether 
without  defect,  perfectly  pure  and  free  from  all  evil.  Thus 
he  is  said  to  be  "  a  God  of  truth  and  without  iniquity." 
Deut.  xxxii.  4.  Nothing  is  farther  from  God  than  that 
"  he  should  do  wickedness,  and  from  the  Almighty  than 
that  he  should  do  iniquity."  Job  xxxiv.  10.  "  There  is  no 
unrighteousness  in  him."  Psalm  xcii.  15.  He  utterly  ab- 
hors all  wickedness.    "  Thou  art  of  purer  eyes  than  to  be- 


252 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


hold  evil,  and  canst  not  look  on  iniquity."  Hab.  i.  IS. 
"  God  is  light,  and  in  him  is  no  darkness  at  all."  1  John 
i.  o.  He  saj's  to  Israel,  speaking  of  their  wickedness,  "  O 
do  not  this  abominable  thing  that  I  hate."  Jer.  xliv.  4. 
Even  his  own  creatures,  when  yielding  to  sin,  incur  his 
hatred,  "  Thou  hatest  all  workers  of  iniquity."  Psalm  v. 
5.  Nor  does  he,  though  he  permits  it  and  overrules  it, 
will  and  absolutely'  ordain  it  :  but  the  very  reverse.  He 
forbids  it  most  earnestly  ;  '•'  he  tempts  no  man  to  it." 
James  i.  1-3,  14.  Nor  is  any  man  obliged  to  it  but  by  his 
own  corrupt  will.  If  Esau  sins,  it  is  by  his  own  choice.  If 
Pharaoh  is  hardened,  he  first  hardens  himself  by  his  own 
wilful  rebellion  against  God's  repeated  commands.  Speak- 
ing of  these  things,  the  Apostle  asks,  "  Is  there  unrigh- 
teousness with  God  ? "  and  he  repels  it  with  abhorrence — 
"  God  forbid  !  "  Rom.  ix.  14. 

But  it  is  not  merely  an  outward  holiness  in  separation 
from  sin  ;  God  has  internal  and  essential  holiness  ;  holi- 
ness in  his  ovAi  nature  and  being ;  self-existent,  and  the 
very  character  of  his  glory.  So  that  his  name  is  altogether 
holy,  just,  and  good  ;  his  will  is  altogether  holy.  Hooker 
beautifulh'  observes,  '  Dangerous  it  were  for  the  feeble 
brain  of  man  to  wade  far  into  the  doings  of  the  Most  High, 
whom  although  to  know  be  life,  and  joy  to  make  mention 
of  his  name,  yet  our  soundest  knowledge  is,  to  know  that 
we  know  him  not  as  indeed  he  is,  neither  can  know  him, 
and  our  safest  eloquence  concerning  him  is  our  silence, 
when  we  confess  without  confession,  that  his  glory  is  in- 
explicable, his  greatness  above  our  capacity  and  reach. 
The  work  and  operations  of  God  have  him  both  for  their 
worker  and  for  the  law  whereby  they  are  wrought.  The 
being  of  God  is  a  kind  of  law  to  his  workings  ;  for  that 
perfection  which  God  is,  gives  perfection  to  that  which  he 
does.  All  those  things  which  are  done  by  God  have  some 
end  for  which  they  are  done.  The  general  end  of  God's 
external  working  is  the  exercise  of  his  most  glorious  and 
abundant  virtue.  "  The  Lord  hath  made  all  things  for  his 
own  sake     not  that  any  thing  is  made  to  be  beneficial 


CHRISTIAN  HOLINESS. 


253 


unto  him,  but  all  things  for  him  to  shew  beneficence  and 
grace  in  them.  He  works  ail  things,  not  only  according 
to  his  own  will,  but  the  counsel  of  his  own  will.  Eph.  i. 
1 1 .  They  err,  therefore,  who  think  that  of  the  will  of  God 
to  do  this  or  tliat,  tliere  is  no  reason  besides  his  will.' 

This  holiness  of  God  is  in  fact  his  conformity  to  his  own 
essential  goodness.  It  is  the  union  of  light  and  love  in 
the  one  Jehovah  ;  but  his  revealed  will  is  the  discovery  to 
us  of  that  essential  goodness.  His  holiness  lies  not  in 
imitating  the  holiness  of  others,  but  the  holiness  of  all 
others  consists  in  their  resemblance  to  perfection  of  good- 
ness and  beauty. 

Holiness  and  blessedness  are  inseparably  one.  God  is 
called  "  the  blessed  God,"  (1  Tim.  i.  11,)  as  the  perfectly 
happy  one.  His  happiness  is  in  his  perfect  purity  and 
holiness.  When  God  says  to  us,  "  Be  ye  holy,  as  I  am 
holy,"  he  says,  Come  and  share  my  happiness  ;  be  "heirs 
of  God  ;"  have  me  for  your  portion  and  inheritance. 

To  know  the  excellence  of  the  divine  nature,  and  to  re- 
joice in  it,  is  the  very  spring  of  holiness.  It  is  the  one 
thing  which  the  cherubim  and  seraphim,  the  angels  and 
glorified  hosts  are  unceasingly  contemplating,  admiring,  and 
praising,  (Isaiah  vi.  3.  Rev.  iv.  8.)  '•'  Holy,  holy,  holy,  is 
the  Lord  of  Hosts,  the  whole  earth  is  full  of  his  glory." 
Holiness  is  therefore  the  crown  and  perfection  of  the  divine 
attributes.  It  is,  in  truth,  our  security  against  the  misery 
which  sin  occasions  ;  it  is  our  assurance  tliat  we  shall  in 
due  time  be  free  from  all  sin  ;  it  is  that  which  will  ulti- 
mately unite  all  the  redeemed  creatures  of  God  in  perfect 
harmony  with  each  other,  and  with  the  divine  will,  and 
therefore  in  perfect  happiness. 

The  holiness  of  God,  then,  is  our  great  model  and 
pattern.  And  that  we  might  have  a  clear,  sensible,  per- 
fect, and  living  manifestation  of  this,  the  only-begotten  of 
the  Father,  "  the  briglitness  of  his  glory,"  and  "  the  ex- 
press image  of  his  person,"  became  man,  both  to  atone  for 
our  guilt,  and  by  the  precious  promises  of  his  free  salva- 
tion to  raise  us  from  our  sinful  state,  and  also  by  his  own 


254 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


holy  life,  to  be  a  perfect  pattern  and  a  sure  guide  for  our 
conduct,  that  we  might  become  partakers  of  the  divine 
nature. 

Thus  the  holiness  of  God  becomes  not  only  the  measure 
and  standard  of  holiness,  but  the  joy  and  delight  of  the 
true  believer.  "  Bless  the  Lord,  0  ray  soul,  and  all  that 
is  within  me  bless  his  holy  name."'  This  is  the  song  of  his 
praise  :  God's  holy  name  is  the  sum  of  his  song,  as  it  is 
of  the  angels.  He  can,  through  the  wonderful  "  mystery 
of  godliness,  God  manifest  in  the  flesh,"  connect  with  that 
holy  name  those  contrast  truths,  "  who  forgiveth  all  thy 
iniquities,  who  healetli  all  thy  diseases,  who  redeemeth  thy 
life  from  destruction,  and  crowneth  thee  with  loving  kind- 
ness and  tender  mercies."  Psalm  ciii. 

Meditation. 

And  is  it  possible  for  me,  a  sinner,  to  rejoice  in  the  divine 
holiness  !  Yes,  in  Christ  Jesus,  we  may  "  glory  "  and  re- 
joice "  in  his  holy  name."  Psalm  cv.  3.  That  holy  name 
maybe  my  trust  as  well  as  my  joy.  Psalm  xxxiii.  21. 
Nor  is  any  trust  well  founded  that  is  not  built  upon  the 
holiness  as  well  as  the  mercy  of  God,  and  that  does  not 
lead  me  both  to  delight  in  and  copy  that  holiness.  May 
God  give  me  this  grace. 

2.  THE  NATURE  OF  HOLINESS. 

Since  the  sacred  writers  have  testified  that  "  without 
holiness  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord  ;"  and  "  there  shall  in  no 
wise  enter"  into  the  heavenly  Jerusalem  "  any  thing  that 
defileth  ;"  since  our  Lord  has  assured  us,  "  Blessed  are  the 
pure  in  heart,  for  they  shall  see  God,"  how  important  is  it 
that  we  should  have  distinct  views  of  what  this  holiness 
is  !  We  have  seen  the  measuje  of  it  in  God's  holiness  ;  let 
us  now  consider  the  nature  of  it  as  imparted  to  man.  Our 
holiness  is  our  separation  from  sin,  and  devotedness  to  the 
service  of  God.  The  general  meaning  of  the  word  "holj'"' 
applies  to  whatever  is  separated  from  common  and  ordinary. 


CHRISTIAN  HOLINESS. 


255 


to  higher  and  sacred  uses.  Thus  God  speaks  to  Israel, 
"  I  am  the  Lord  your  God,  which  have  separated  you  from 
other  people.  And  ye  shall  be  holy  unto  me,  for  I  the 
Lord  am  holy,  and  have  severed  you  from  other  people, 
that  ye  should  be  mine."  Lev.  xx.  24,  26. 

Naturally  all  men  are  living  in  sin,  and  in  the  midst  of 
a  world  lying  in  wickedness.  God  invites  us  to  "come  out 
and  be  separate,"  and  not  touch  the  unclean  thing,  under 
the  promise  that  he  will  "  receive  us  and  be  a  father  to  us," 
and  we  shall  be  "  the  sons  and  daughters "  of  the  Lord 
Almighty.  Encouraged  by  "  these  promises,"  the  believer 
comes  out  and  seeks  to  "  cleanse  himself  from  all  filthiness 
of  the  flesh  and  of  the  spirit,  perfecting  holiness  in  the  fear 
of  the  Lord."  2  Cor.  vi.  1",  18  ;  vii.  1. 

Holiness,  then,  is  nothing  less  than  an  entire  deatli  unto 
sin  and  a  new  life,  wholly  devoted  to  the  will  of  God.  Its 
language  is — I  am  no  longer  my  own,  I  am  no  longer  the 
slave  of  sin  and  Satan.  I  see  that  my  former  fancied 
liberty  was  a  real  slavery  ;  that  Satan,  under  the  pretext 
of  liberty,  had  brought  me  under  the  most  grievous  and 
intolerable  bondage.  Redeeming  love  has  dispelled  the 
delusion.  He  who  gave  his  Son  to  die  for  me ;  he  who 
gave  himself  for  me,  to  redeem  me  from  all  iniquity,  must 
love  me  with  unspeakable  love,  and  I  give  myself  joyfully 
and  heartily,  gratefully,  and  wholly  toliim  who  has  bought 
me  with  his  blood.  My  old  will  is  no  longer  my  ruler, 
God's  will  is  my  will,  God's  law  my  freedom,  God's  way 
the  way  of  holiness,  my  choice  and  my  way  now  and 
evermore. 

Thus  everything  we  are  and  have  is  consecrated  to  the 
Lord  ;  nothing  is  withheld  from  him  ;  all  is  used  for  him. 
It  is  not  to  devote  jyart  of,  but  all  our  property  to  God  ; 
what  we  use  for  ourselves  and  our  families  being  used  thus, 
because  it  is  his  will  and  good  pleasure  that  they  should  be 
so  used.  It  is  not  merely  devoting  part  of  our  time  to 
God  in  prayer  and  reading  the  scriptures,  but  devoting  all 
our  time  for  God  ;  what  we  give  to  business  or  pleasure, 
being  so  given  because  it  is  his  will  and  good  pleasure 


256 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


tliat  that  part  of  our  time  should  be  thus  employed.  It  is, 
in  short,  to  act  in  everything  as  the  servants  of  the  Lord, 
and  in  everything  to  make  it  our  meat  and  drink  to  do  his 
will.  Tlirough  the  new  birtli,  and  by  the  Spirit  of  God 
imparted  to  us,  we  become  "  dead  indeed  unto  sin,  but  alive 
unto  God,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord  ;  "  thus,  believer, 
no  longer  "  obey  sin  in  the  lusts  thereof,"  but  seek  to  follow 
the  direction,  "  Yield  yourselves  unto  God,  as  those  that 
are  alive  from  the  dead,  and  your  members  as  instruments 
of  righteousness  unto  God,"  cheered  by  the  animating  pro- 
mise, "  for  sin  shall  not  have  dominion  over  you,  for  ye 
are  not  under  the  law  but  under  grace." 

Thus  the  Christian,  with  all  he  is,  and  all  he  has,  is  a 
man  set  apart  for  God.  "  1  am  for  God  "  is  stamped 
legibly  upon  him  and  all  his  doings.  His  powers  of  body 
and  of  mind,  tlie  feelings  of  his  heart,  and  the  determina- 
tion of  his  will ;  his  time,  his  influence,  his  talents,  his 
knowledge,  his  money,  his  possessions,  his  family,  every- 
thing is  viewed  by  him  as  belonging  to  God,  and  consecrated 
wholly  to  him. 

To  this  high,  and  holy,  and  happy  state  God  designs  to 
bring  all  his  people,  and  indeed  ultimately  our  whole  earth. 
It  is  a  beautiful  description  of  God's  purposes  of  love  to  the 
Jewish  nation  in  setting  them  apart  as  a  peculiar  treasure 
to  himself  above  all  people  :  "  Ye  shall  be  unto  me  a  king- 
dom of  priests,  and  an  holy  nation."  Through  their  un- 
belief, indeed,  tliey  have  for  a  season  been  broken  ofl^,  but 
the  gifts  and  the  calling  of  God  are  without  repentance  ; 
and  we  find,  in  Zechariah,  that  God's  purposes  to  restored 
Israel  in  days  to  come  is,  that  they  should  exemplify  this 
holiness  in  the  commonest  things  in  daily  use.  How 
sweetly  that  prophet  closes  his  important  and  extended 
predictions  !  "  In  that  day  there  shall  be  upon  the  bells  of 
the  horses  holiness  unto  the  Lord,  and  the  pots  in  the 
Lord's  house  shall  be  like  the  bowls  before  the  altar.  Yea, 
every  pot  in  Jerusalem  and  Judah  shall  be  holixess  unto 
THE  Lord  of  Hosts,  and  all  they  that  sacrifice  shall  come 
and  take  of  them  and  seethe  therein ;  and  in  that  day 


CHRISTIAN  HOLINESS. 


257 


shall  there  he  no  more  the  Canaanite  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord  of  Hosts;"  thus  all  their  ordinary  preparation 
of  food  shall  be  like  a  sacrifice  and  a  sacrament,  and 
not  one  Canainite  (or  worldly  trafficker)  be  found  in 
the  worship  of  God.  Israel,  "  the  righteous  nation  which 
keepeth  truth;"  (Isaiah  xxvi.  2.)  "the  people  all  righ- 
teous ;"  (Isaiah  Ix.  21.)  "  the  holy  people,"  (Isaiah  Ixii.) 
will  thus  become  a  perfect  and  just  specimen  of  God's  pur- 
poses of  holy  love  to  our  fallen  race. 

For  it  is  not  to  Israel  only  that  this  blessed  gift  of  holi- 
ness shall  be  imparted.  To  us  Gentiles  the  same  love  is 
extended.  To  mark  our  consecration  to  God,  it  has  pleased 
him  to  send  the  gospel  through  the  world,  and  to  appoint 
the  sacred  ordinance  of  baptism  in  the  name  of  the  Father, 
the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  which  puts  the  seal  of  his 
own  name  on  each  believing  Gentile  as  well  as  on  the 
Jews.  It  has  pleased  him  also,  by  his  own  Spirit,  to  dwell 
in  his  people  as  in  his  temple.  "  Your  body  is  the  temple 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  is  in  you,  which  ye  have  of  God, 
and  ye  are  not  your  own,  for  ye  are  bought  with  a  price, 
therefore  glorify  God  in  your  bodies  and  in  your  spirits, 
which  are  God's."  1  Cor.  vi.  19.  What  a  motive  is  thus 
furnished  to  holiness  !  "  If  any  man  defile  the  temple  of 
God,  him  shall  God  destroy,  for  the  temple  of  God  is  holy, 
which  temple  ye  are."  1  Cor.  iii.  10.  1  Peter  ii.  4,  5. 

Here,  then,  is  the  nature  of  true  holiness.  It  is  the  very 
spirit  of  heaven  ;  raising  men  from  all  the  pollution  of 
miserj'  and  sin  to  all  the  purity  and  blessedness  of  angels 
j;  and  archangels,  that  we  may  be  equal  to  them,  and  dwell 
with  them,  and  rejoice  in  their  rejoicings,  and  swell  their 
chorus  of  praise,  and  behold  their  visions  of  glory,  and 
triumph  in  their  hallelujahs,  and  constantly  abide  with 
them  in  our  Father's  house,  where  is  fulness  of  joy,  and  at 
whose  right  hand  there  are  pleasures  for  evermore. 

Prayer  for  Holiness. 

Most  holy  Lord  God,  my  heavenly  Father,  who  has  aji- 
pointed  a  new  and  living  way  in  which  we  may  have  bold- 


258 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


ness  to  enter  into  the  holiest  by  the  Mood  of  Jesus,  0  give 
unto  me,  I  entreat,  that  holiness,  without  which  no  man 
shall  see  thee.  Is  not  my  sanctification  thy  will,  0  my 
Father  ?  hast  thou  not  said.  Be  ye  holy,  for  I  am  holy  ? 
Create  then,  in  me,  0  God,  a  clean  heart,  and  renew  a  right 
spirit  within  me.  Send  thine  own  spirit  of  holiness  upon 
me,  that  I  may  he  separate  from  all  sin,  and  entirely  and 
wholly  yielded  and  consecrated,  body,  soul  and  spirit  unto 
thee,  through  Jesus  my  Redeemer.  Amen. 

3.  HOLT  AFFECTIONS  TOWARDS  GOD. 

The  Christian  has  gained  a  spiritual  view  of  the  beauty 
and  glory  of  God.  He  says  from  the  heart,  "  How  great 
is  his  goodness,  and  how  great  is  his  beauty."  Zech.  ix. 
17.  "  How  excellent  is  thy  loving-kindness,  0  God." 
Psalm  xxxvi.  "  The  Holy  One  of  Israel  is  our  King." 
Psalm  Ixxxix.  18. 

All  his  holiness,  though  it  be  a  consuming  fire  to  sin 
and  persevering  sinners,  is  the  very  bliss  and  glory  of  the 
believer.  For  while  perfect  holiness  is  in  itself  unspeak- 
ably and  infinitely  beautiful,  excellent  and  glorious  ;  in 
Christ  Jesus,  that  holiness,  which  would  otherwise  only 
consume  and  destroy  sinners,  has  secured  the  destruction 
of  our  sinfulness,  and  the  ijurification  of  our  nature. 
Jesus,  the  refiner  and  purifier  of  his  people,  is  now  purify- 
ing them  unto  himself,  "  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good 
works." 

God  has  also  so  graciously  revealed  this  bright  and  glo- 
rious attribute,  as  to  make  it  the  very  comfort  of  the 
humbled  and  mourning  soul.  "  For  thus  saith  the  High 
and  Lofty  One  that  inhabiteth  eternity,  whose  name  is  Holy, 
I  dwell  in  tlie  high  and  holy  place,  with  him  also  that  is 
of  a  contrite  and  humble  spirit,  to  revive  the  spirit  of  the 
humble,  and  to  revive  the  heart  of  the  contrite  ones."  Isa. 
Ivii.  1.5.  As  certainly,  then,  as  God  is  high  and  lofty, 
eternal,  and  most  holy,  so  assuredly  shall  every  bruised 
soul,  every  broken  and  contrite  spirit,  be  revived  and  re- 


CHRISTIAN  HOLINESS. 


259 


newed  by  him.  Under  these  views  holy  affections  spring 
up  in  the  believer's  heart. 

Thus  LOVE  to  the  Holy  God  is  shed  abroad  in  our  heart 
by  the  Holy  Spirit.  This  is  the  first  and  great  command- 
ment, "  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  witli  all  thy 
heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind,  and 
with  all  thy  strength."  The  holiness  of  God  makes  this 
reasonable  and  practicable,  as  well  as  our  plainest  duty  and 
obligation.  His  holiness  is  such  as  to  call  forth  all  our  ad- 
miration and  delight  through  eternity.  "  Let  them  praise 
thy  great  and  terrible  name  :  for  it  is  holy."  Psalm  xcix. 
3.  That  holiness,  giving  a  beauty,  loveliness,  and  glory  to 
all  his  greatness  and  terror,  that  justly  calls  forth  the  songs 
of  all  creation.  On  this  ground  the  triumphant  hosts  of 
his  victorious  saints  praise  his  name  :  "  They  sing  the  song 
of  Moses  the  servant  of  God,  and  the  song  of  the  Lamb, 
saying,  Great  and  marvellous  are  thy  works,  Lord  God  Al- 
mighty ;  just  and  true  are  thy  ways,  thou  King  of  saints  ; 
who  shall  not  fear  thee,  0  Lord,  and  glorify  thy  name,  for 
thou  only  art  holy."  Rev.  xv.  4. 

Thus  distinctly  is  his  holiness  made  the  ground  of  ad- 
miration and  gratitude,  of  praise  and  thanksgiving.  Thus 
are  we  led  to  delight  in  God's  holiness  as  his  excellence 
and  glory. 

And  in  delighting  in  it,  we  transcribe  it  on  our  hearts  : 
in  loving  it,  we  ourselves  become  partakers  of  it,  and  offer 
the  purest  and  best  of  worship,  that  of  likeness  and  confor- 
mity to  Him  whom  we  worship. 

What  holiness  towards  God,  then,  calls  for,  is,  to  contem- 
plate this  his  beauty  more  and  more,  joying  in  God,  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  till  we  are  changed  into  his  likeness. 
To  beliold,  with  open  face,  in  the  glass  of  the  gospel,  "  the 
glory  of  the  Lord,  till  we  are  changed  into  the  same  image 
from  glory  to  glory,  even  as  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord." 
Love  copies  that  which  it  loves.  Delight  in  any  one  leads 
us  to  walk  in  his  ways.  And  when  the  believer  has  long 
gazed  upon  the  work  and  glory  of  the  Lord,  and  prayed, 
"  Let  thy  work  appear  unto  thy  servant,  and  thy  glory  unto 
s  2 


260 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


their  children  ;  "  he  cannot  but  add  his  longing  desires  : 
"  Let  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  us."  Psalm 
xc.  16,  17. 

Confidence  in  God  is  another  holy  feeling  which  our 
God  justly  claims  from  us.  Faitli,  indeed,  begets  love,  and 
love  increases  faith  and  entire-  confidence.  The  confidence 
of  the  child  that  has  no  doubt  whatever  of  a  parent's  love, 
should  be  our  feeling  towards  God.  The  child's  sweet  re- 
liance on  parental  care  and  provision  is  so  strengthened  and 
increased  by  the  daily  benefits  of  a  father's  constant  watch- 
fulness and  multiplied  supplies  for  every  want,  that  the 
child  knows  there  must  be  wisdom  and  love  in  the  hardest 
lessons  which  it  is  required  to  learn.  And  thus,  in  the  spirit 
of  adoption,  the  believer  is  led  to  cry,  "  Abba,  Father ;  " 
and  to  repose,  with  perfect  assurance,  in  God's  loving-kind- 
ness. Abraham  seems  never  once  to  have  doubted,  when 
called  to  sacrifice  his  only  son  Isaac,  that  God  had  any  in- 
tentions but  to  benefit  and  tdess  both  him  and  his  son  ; 
and  he  went  steadily  on  his  journey,  and  to  the  very  act 
of  obedience,  with  perfect  confidence.  Our  Lord  Jesus 
Ciirist,  at  the  very  extremity  of  his  distress,  manifests  this 
entire  confidence  :  Nevertlieless,  not  my  will,  but  thine 
be  done."  The  titles  on  which  his  soul  rested  in  his  last 
prayer  were,  "  Holy  Father,"  and  "  Righteous  Father." 
John  xvii.  11,  35.  Nor  can  anything  but  a  just  confidence 
in  his  holiness  give  us  peace  in  the  hour  of  temptation, 
danger  and  death. 

We  would  also  notice  spiritual  worship,  as  the  last 
exercise  of  holy  feeling.  The  highest,  order  of  creatures 
we  know  are  the  seraphim  and  tlie  archangels.  The  name 
"  seraphim  "  means,  the  fiery  ones,  and  the  name  seems 
given  to  them  from  the  ardour  and  fervour  with  which  they 
cry  day  and  night,  "  Holy,  holy,  holy  is  tlie  Lord  God  of 
Hosts."  Isaiah  vi.  The  characteristic  of  Gabriel,  the  angel, 
was  to  "  stand  in  the  presence  of  God."  (Luke  i.  11,)  and 
God  seeks  for  those  worshippers  "  that  worship  him  in 
spirit  and  in  truth." 


CHRISTIAN  HOLINESS. 


231 


Meditation. 

Assuredly  the  feelings  of  the  heavenly  host  must  be  the 
highest  and  the  happiest  feelings  that  I  can  attain,  and  all 
their  feelings  towards  the  great  God  are  full  of  rapture  and 
admiration,  confidence  and  joy,  delight  and  love  ;  all  their 
feelings  are  holy  feelings.  Oh,  may  I  never  cease,  then,  to 
follow  after  this  heavenly  mind.  If  it  be  the  peculiar 
blessedness  of  the  pure  in  heart  that  they  shall  see  God, 
may  I  be  constantly  looking  to  Jesus,  the  purifier  of  my 
soul,  to  be  cleansed  by  his  blood,  and  by  his  Spirit,  from 
all  my  sins. 

4.  HOLY  AFFECTIONS  TOWARDS  MAN. 

The  God  of  holiness  has  given,  as  his  second  great  com- 
mandment, "  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself  ;  " 
here,  then,  is  the  character  of  holiness  towards  our  fellow- 
men.  Real,  sincere,  hearty,  constant  love  ;  the  same  love 
which  wisdom  and  righteousness  demand  for  ourselves  on 
a  just  view  of  our  true  interest,  is  required  also  towards 
all  men.  "  He  that  loveth  another,  hath  fulfilled  the  law." 
Rom.  xiii.  9.  "  For  all  the  law  is  fulfilled  in  one  word, 
even  in  this, — Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself." 
Gal.  V.  14.  The  duty  of  love  is  manifestly,  then,  very 
comprehensive,  and  includes  in  itself  the  abstaining  from 
every  thing  that  might  injure  another,  and  acting  always 
in  the  spirit  of  real  goodwill  towards  all  men. 

The  RELATIVE  DUTIES  whicli  we  owe  to  each  other  form 
a  large  and  important  part  of  our  daily  life,  on  which  the 
scriptures  dwell  at  much  length  and  repeatedly. 

The  duties  of  subjects  towards  kings  is  plainly  de- 
clared ;  such  as  honour,  (1  Pet.  ii.  17.)  fear,  (Prov.  xxiv. 
21.)  obedience,  (Tit.  iii.  1.  Eccles.  viii.  2.)  and  prayer  for 
them.  Ezra  vi.  10.  1  Tim.  ii.  1 — 3.  The  apostle  Paul 
dwells  at  length  on  what  is  due  to  those  in  authority. 
Rom.  xiii.  1 — 7.  The  apostle  Peter  calls  Christians  to  the 
same  duties.    1  Peter  ii.  13 — 16.    Here,  then,  are  holy 


262 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


feelings  towards  those  above  us.  All  contrary  feelings,  of 
despising  government,  speaking  evil  of  dignities,  and  revil- 
ing our  superiors,  however  common  they  may  be,  are  per- 
fectly opposed  to  the  holy  will  of  God. 

The  duty  of  governors  and  kings  on  the  other  hand  is 
equally  plainly  stated  ;  Exodus  xviii.  21,  22.  Lev.  xix.  15. 
2  Sam.  xxiii.  ri,  4.  God  also  gives  them  gracious  promises 
connected  with  their  faithfulness  to  him.  Prov.  xxix.  2,  4  ; 
xiv.  10,  28. 

The  duty  of  wives  towards  their  husbands  is  stated  ; 
Titus  ii.  2—5.  2  Tim,  iii.  11.  1  Peter  iii.  1—6.  1  Tim. 
ii.  8—10. 

The  duty  of  husbands  to  wives.  1  Pet.  iii.  7.  Ephes. 
V.  25—33. 

The  duty  of  children  to  parents  is  another  part  of 
Christian  holiness  much  insisted  on  in  the  word  of  God. 
Eph.  vi.  1 — 8.    Prov.  xxiii.  22.    Lev.  xix.  3. 

The  duty  of  parents  is  specially  weighty,  and  much 
blessed  of  God  when  fulfilled.  Gen.  xviii.  19.  Deut.  xi. 
18,  19.    Ephes.  vi.  4.    Joshua  xxiv.  15. 

The  duty  of  servants  is  largely  set  forth.  Titus  ii.  9, 10. 
1  Peter  ii.'l8,  19.    Ephes.  vi.  5—8.    1  Tim.  vi.  1,  2. 

Masters  are  instructed  thus  :  Ephes.  vi.  9.  Col.  iv.  1. 
Jer.  xxii.  13.    James  v.  4. 

Ministers  are  taught  their  duties  :  Acts  xx.  16—35, 
and  in  Titus  and  Timothy. 

And  hearers  theirs  :  Luke  viii.  5 — 15.  1  Thess.  v.  12, 
13.    Heb.  xiii.  17. 

Such  are  the  varied  relative  duties  in  following  which 
we  manifest  holy  affections  towards  our  fellow  men,  and 
bring  honour  to  the  name  and  gospel  of  our  God  and 
Saviour,  and  stop  the  blasphemies  of  those  who  are  hostile 
to  his  doctrine. 

Prayer  for  grace  to  fulfil  relative  duties. 

0  my  heavenly  Father,  who  hast  appointed  all  the  vari- 
ous orders,  degrees,  and  relations  of  men  for  the  good  of 
the  whole,  designing  thereby  the  mutual  edification  of  the 


CHRISTIAN  HOLINESS, 


2G3 


whole  body  of  Christ,  I  pvay  thee  to  give  me  grace  to  direct 
my  special  care  and  attention  to  my  own  duties,  and  the 
varied  works  of  love  to  which  my  particular  station  calls 
me.  Let  me  examine  my  heart  and  wa^'S  by  thy  word  ; 
wherein  I  have  sinned  in  times  past  give  me  true  repentance, 
and  strengthen  me  by  thy  grace  so  to  act  for  the  time  to 
come,  that  I  may  in  all  things  adorn  tlie  doctrine  of  God 
my  Saviour.  Amen. 

5.  PERSONAL  HOLINESS. 

Holiness  has  its  seat  in  the  heart ;  inward  graces  and 
holy  tempers  are  its  main  character.  The  true  Christian, 
having  put  on  the  new  man,  is  "  created  after  God  in  righte- 
ousness and  true  holiness."  Hence  when  the  apostle  gives 
them  the  titles  of  "  the  elect  of  God,  holy  and  beloved,"  he 
bids  them  as  such  to  "  put  on  bowels  of  mercies,  kindness, 
humbleness  of  mind,  meekness,  long-suffering,  forbearing 
one  another,  and  forgiving  one  another.  Col.  iii.  12,  13. 
The  main  essentials  of  this  inward  character  ai*e  these 
three,  "  faith,  hope,"  and  '•  love."  The  effects  of  these 
graces  are  truly  blessed  in  producing  personal  holiness. 

Inward  purity  of  mind  may  be  first  noticed.  "  Blessed 
are  the  pure  in  heart."  It  is  the  very  preparation  for  the 
sight  of  God  and  dwelling  with  him.  "  Who  shall  ascend 
into  the  hill  of  the  Lord,  and  who  shall  stand  in  his  holy 
place  ?  He  that  hath  clean  hands  and  a  pure  heart."  Psalm 
xxiv.  3,  4.  Every  thing  contrary  to  this  :  mere  worldly 
objects  aimed  at,  double-minded ness,  selfishness,  and  ungod- 
liness, are  rejected  and  renounced  by  the  pure  in  heart. 
"  They  that  are  Clirist's  have  crucified  the  flesh  with  its 
affections  and  lusts."  Gal.  v.  24.  The  object  of  Christ's 
death  for  us  was  that  he  might  present  us  to  God,  "  holy 
and  unblaineable  and  unreprovable  in  his  sight."  Col.  i.  21. 

The  full  FRUIT  OF  THE  Spirit  may  next  be  noticed  as  a 
part  of  personal  holiness,  of  unspeakable  value  and  blessed- 
ness. "  The  fruit  of  tlie  Spirit  is  love,  joy,  peace,  long- 
suffering,  gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness,  temper- 


CHRISTIAN'  TKrTH  : 


ance."  Gal.  v.  22,  23.  This  is  beautifully  expressed,  not 
as  fruits,  but  as  "  fruit,"  a  rich  cluster  of  blessings  :  and 
as  the  effect  of  the  Spirit  in  the  heart  of  man,  not  of 
man's  fleshly  powers,  to  shew  that  it  is  wholly  of  Grod's 
grace. 

The  GROWTH  of  every  good  gift  and  grace  is  farther 
worthy  of  mercy.  Giving  all  diligence,  add  to  your  faith 
virtue,  and  to  virtue  knowledge,  and  to  knowledge  temper- 
ance, and  to  temperance  patience,  and  to  patience  godliness, 
and  to  godliness  brotherly  kindness,  and  to  brotherly  kind- 
ness charity."  2  Pet.  i.  5 — 7.  Such  directions  may  shew 
us  what  a  noble  scope  the  gospel  affords  for  the  utmost  zeal 
and  the  most  constant  labours  and  efforts.  There  is  no  end 
of  advance  and  increase  and  enlarging  blessedness  in  the 
school  of  Christ. 

Thus  too  are  you  preparing  and  ripening  for  that  all- 
important  event,  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus.  All  his 
grace  imparted  to  yon  is  '•'  to  the  end  he  may  establish  your 
hearts  unblameable  in  holiness  before  God,  even  our  Father, 
at  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  all  his  saints." 
1  Thess.  iii.  13. 

Meditatioii. 

When  shall  I  attain  this  inward  purity  !  How  infinitely 
desirable  this  holy  and  heavenly  state  of  mind,  which  makes 
man  angelic  in  his  disjwsitions  even  on  earth,  and  meet 
also  for  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light  I  Surely  all 
objects  of  pursuit  in  an  immortal  being  are  poor  and 
unworthy  of  his  high  hopes  compared  with  this  of  personal, 
inward  holiness.  Lord,  give  me  a  growing  and  strengthen- 
ing desire  for  holiness  as  my  true  happiness. 

6.  THE  DEFECTS  OF  OUR  HOLIXESS. 

If  such  be  the  holiness  to  which  the  gospel  calls  us,  surely 
we,  like  Isaiah,  when  he  was  privileged  to  behold  the  Lord 
sitting  on  his  throne  of  glory,  must  each  say,  "  Woe  is  me, 
for  I  am  undone,  because  I  am  a  man  of  unclean  lips,  and 


CHRISTIAN  HOLINESS. 


265 


I  dwell  in  the  midst  of  a  people  of  unclean  lips,  for  mine 
eyes  have  seen  the  King,  the  Lord  of  Hosts." 

In  everything  we  come  short  ;  in  holy  feelings  towards 
God,  and  towards  man,  and  in  personal  holiness.  Those 
■who  think  themselves  holier  than  others,  saying,  "  Stand 
ofl',  for  I  am  holier  than  thou,"  are  probably  the  farthest 
off  from  real  holiness  ;  for  deep  humility  is  ever  the  attend- 
ant of  holiness  ;  the  seraphim  veil  their  fiices  before  the 
throne.  The  most  holy  man  we  have  probably  known  on 
earth,  after  the  only  perfect  pattern,  said  of  himself,  "  I  am 
the  chief  of  sinners."    1  Tim.  i,  15. 

In  nothing  to  the  s))iritual  mind  is  this  defect  more  seen 
than  in  those  acts  which  bear  the  mark  of  outward  holi- 
ness, formality  and  lip-service,  connected  with  deadness 
of  spirit,  worldly  thoiiglits  and  distractions,  vain  imagina- 
tions and  starlings  aside  of  the  heart  in  his  prayers,  make 
those  prayers  the  most  abomina1)le  and  most  humbling  of 
all  the  Christian's  conduct.  lie  cries  out,  Oh  how  hateful 
is  my  real  state  to  myself,  and  surely  it  must  be  so  to  him 
who  is  of  purer  eyes  than  to  look  upon  iniquity !  What 
odious  hypocrisy,  to  draw  nigh  to  God  with  my  lips  while 
my  heart  is  far  from  him  !  to  have  the  mask  of  devotion 
covering  the  heart  of  worldliness  !  To  have  the  sepulchre 
white  without,  but  within  full  of  vileness. 

Are  you  thus  groaning.  Christian  reader  !  Know,  there 
is  good  hope  in  those  very  confessions.  It  is  tlie  sign  of 
spiritual  life  to  begin  to  feel  your  deadness.  It  is,  too,  the 
experience  of  God's  children  ;  "  Ourselves  also  which  have 
the  first-fruits  of  the  Spirit,  even  we  ourselves  groan  within 
ourselves,  waiting  for  the  adoption,  to  wit,  the  redemption 
of  our  bodies."    Romans  viii.  28. 

Only  be  not  content  with  such  a  state.  Keep  up  the 
warfare,  in  the  divine  strength.  Let  it  be  true  of  you,  "  I 
delight  in  the  law  of  God  after  the  inward  man,"  though 
it  be  also  true  :  "  But  I  see  another  law  in  my  members 
warring  against  the  law  of  my  mind,  and  bringing  me  into 
captivity  to  the  law  of  sin."  Remember,  the  minding  of 
the  flesh  is  death,  and  the  minding  of  the  Spirit  is  "  life 


266 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


and  peace  ;  "  and  knowing  your  free  and  complete  salva- 
tion in  Jesus,  "  walk,  not  after  the  flesh  but  after  the 
Spirit." 

Nor  can  you  have  too  debasing  an  idea  of  your  own  sin- 
fulness and  vileness  for  these  defects  of  holiness.  The  holy 
Job  says,  "  I  abhor  myself,  and  repent  in  dust  and  ashes." 
Job  xlii.  The  holy  Isaiah,  longing  for  better  days,  and 
waiting  for  them,  says,  "  We  are  all  as  an  unclean  thing, 
and  all  our  righteousnesses  (notice  the  plural  number,  and 
the  comprehensive  all)  are  as  filthy  rags,  and  we  all  do 
fade  as  a  leaf,  and  our  iniquities,  like  the  wind,  have 
taken  us  away.  And  there  is  none  that  calleth  upon  thy 
name,  that  stineth  up  himself  to  take  hold  of  thee  ;  for 
tliou  hast  hid  thy  face,  and  consumed  us  because  of  our 
iniquities."  Isaiah  Ixiv.  6,  7.  This  is  the  right  ■\'iew  of 
our  best  and  holiest  actions ;  that  self-righteousness  may 
be  entirely  dethroned,  and  that,  like  the  apostle  Paul,  we 
may  for  Christ  suffer  the  loss  of  all  things,  and  be  able  to 
say  with  him,  "  I  do  count  them  but  dung  (oh  most  abas- 
ing, most  just  description),  that  I  may  win  Christ,  and  be 
found  in  him  ;  not  having  mine  own  righteousness,  which 
is  of  the  law,  but  the  righteousness  which  is  of  God  by 
faith  in  him." 

And  how  cheering  to  the  deeply-convinced  sinner  is  that 
description  of  the  High  Priest  of  Israel  I  He  wore  a  mitre, 
upon  which  was  a  plate  of  pure  gold,  and  there  was  en- 
graven upon  it,  HOLINESS  TO  THE  LoRD,  and  it  was  put 
upon  the  fore  front  of  the  mitre.  And  when  he  went  into 
the  holy  place,  he  is  thus  directed,  "  It  shall  be  upon 
Aaron's  forehead,  that  Aaron  may  bear  the  iniquity  of  the 
holy  things  which  the  children  of  Israel  shall  hallow  in 
their  holy  gifts  ;  and  it  shall  be  always  upon  his  forehead, 
that  they  may  be  accepted  before  the  Lord."  Exodus 
xxviii.  36.  Oh  precious  direction !  Let  us  regard  thus 
our  High  Priest  Jesus  Christ  before  the  throne  of  God 
with  real  holiness  in  our  behalf,  and  be  accepted  as  holy 
through  him  ;  till  we  attain  perfect  holiness  at  his  coming. 


CHRISTIAN  HOLINESS. 


267 


Confession  of  Unholiness,  and  Prayer  for  Faith  iti  a  Free 
Salvation. 

It  is  indeed  most  painfully  true  :  I  am  unholy  and  un- 
clean !  Behold  I  am  vile  ;  what  shall  I  answer  thee  ?  I 
cannot  justify  myself  before  thee  in  any  thing.  I  can  only 
cast  myself  on  the  name  and  merit  and  righteousness  of  the 
Lord  Jesus.  My  thoughts  are  evil,  my  heart  is  desperately 
wicked,  my  words  are  vain,  deceitful,  and  selfish  ;  my 
whole  life  tried  by  thy  perfect  law  in  every  thing,  comes 
short  of  the  glory  of  God.  My  mouth  is  stopped.  I  am 
wholly  guilty  in  thy  sight. 

Lord,  justify  me  then  freely  by  thy  grace  through  the 
redemption  that  is  in  Christ  Jesus.  And  that  I  may  be 
justified  thus  freely,  and  sanctified  by  thine  own  Spirit  ; 
oh  !  give  me  simple  and  living  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus, 
who  appears  perfectly  holy  in  my  nature  as  my  High 
Priest  before  thee.  May  I  win  Christ  and  be  found  in 
him.    Hear  me  for  his  sake.  Amen. 

7.  THE  MEANS  BY  WHICH  HOLINESS  IS  ATTAINED. 

God  has  made  ample  provision  for  our  attaining  holi- 
ness. This  was  in  his  purpose  from  the  very  beginning  ; 
Christians  are  described  as  "  chosen  in  Christ  before  the 
foundation  of  the  world,  that  we  should  be  holy  and 
without  blame  before  him  in  love."  Ephes.  i.  4.  2  Thess. 
ii.  13. 

Thus  deep  and  secure  has  God  laid  the  foundation  of  his 
people's  holiness.  It  was  in  the  plan  of  his  grace  before 
the  world  was  made.  It  was  the  great  design  of  all  God's 
revelations  of  himself ;  it  is  the  fruit  of  the  love  of  Jesus 
our  Lord  ;  it  is  the  effect  of  the  Holy  Ghost's  operations, 
and  it  is  attained  through  belief  of  the  truth. 

Let  us  first  notice  the  belief  of  the  truth  as  one 
means  of  attaining  holiness.  It  was  the  testimony  of  Da- 
vid, the  "  law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect,  converting  the  soul  ;" 
and  as  conversion  through  the  word  is  the  beginning  of 


268 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


sanctification,  so  its  progress  is  carried  on  by  the  same 
means  :  "  as  new-born  babes,  desire  the  sincere  milk  of 
the  word  that  ye  may  grow  thereby."  1  Peter  i.  22 — 25  ; 
ii.  1 — 8.  Our  Lord  tells  his  disciples,  "  Now  ye  are  clean 
through  the  word  which  I  have  spoken  unto  you,"  (John 
XV.  3,)  and  he  prays  for  them,  "  Sanctify  them  through 
thy  truth  :  thy  word  is  truth."  John  xvii.  17.  The  ten- 
dency of  all  God's  word  is  purifying.  Well  is  it  called 
The  Holy  Bible  ;  being  tlie  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  for 
the  purpose  of  making  men  holy.  Faith  is  our  means 
of  contact  and  union  with  the  word.  Believe  it  not,  and 
it  is  a  dead  letter.  Believe  it,  and  it  becomes  a  quickening 
seed  of  spiritual  and  eternal  life.  Hence  you  find  faith 
made  the  great  means  of  holiness  ;  "  Purifying  their  hearts 
by  faith,"  (Acts  xv.  9,)  "  Ye  have  purified  your  souls  in 
obeying  the  truth  through  the  Spirit."  1  Peter  i.  22.  When 
I  believe  God's  truth,  I  see  the  misery,  vileness,  and  abo- 
mination of  sin  ;  I  see  the  loveliness  and  excellence,  the 
blessedness  and  infinite  desirableness  of  all  holiness,  and 
thus-  by  an  entire  change  of  mind  from  my  natural  state, 
as  far  as  "  the  new  man  "  prevails  over  "  the  old  man," 
all  my  thoughts,  words,  and  actions  become  pure  and 
holy. ' 

Yet,  though  the  truth  be  God's  own  instrument  for  pro- 
ducing this  change,  it  has  pleased  him,  lest  we  should 
magnify  the  instrument  instead  of  liimself,  and  that  we 
might  see  our  sinfulness  and  weakness  more  distinctly, 
and  more  rejoice  in  his  goodness,  not  to  leave  the  word  alone 
to  be  powerful  to  convert  and  to  sanctify.  It  is  the  ham- 
mer, but  a  mighty  hand  must  wield  it  to  break  the  rocky 
heart ;  it  may,  as  it  were,  lie  by  us,  close  to  us,  and  never 
once  benefit  us.  Therefore  our  Lord  prays  to  his  Father, 
"  Sanctify  them  by  thy  truth  ; "  and  therefore  the  apostle 
so  rejoices,  and  gathers  thence  their  "  election  of  God," 
when  he  tells  the  Thessalonians,  "  for  our  gospel  came  unto 
you  not  in  word  only,  but  also  in  power,  and  in  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance."    1  Thess.  i.  5. 

Here,  then,  is  the  great  strength  by  which  holiness  is 


CHRISTIAN  HOLINESS. 


269 


attained,  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  And  justly 
has  he  indeed,  above  every  thing,  the  emphatic  title,  Holy 
Spirit,  who  is  the  Spirit  of  holiness  (Rom.  i.  4),  and  the 
only  source  of  holiness  in  all  created  beings.  By  his  over- 
shadowing the  Virgin,  the  only  perfectly  holy  child,  even 
our  all-perfect  Redeemer,  was  born  into  the  world  :  "  The 
Holy  Ghost  shall  come  upon  thee,  and  the  power  of  the 
Highest  shall  overshadow  thee  ;  therefore  also  that  holy 
thing  which  shall  be  born  of  thee  shall  be  called  the  Son 
of  God."  And  in  all  his  youth,  Jesus  "  waxed  strong  in 
the  Spirit  ; "  at  his  baptism  the  Holy  Ghost  visibly  de- 
scended on  him  ;  and  "  through  the  Eternal  Spirit  he 
offered  himself"  on  the  cross,  a  sacrifice  "  without  spot 
unto  God." 

By  the  same  Spirit  all  his  followers  are  sanctified.  The 
first  breath  of  spiritual  life  is  from  him  ;  "  That  which  is 
I)orn  of  the  Spirit  is  spirit."    John  iii.  (>. 

When  man  becomes  thus  a  partaker  of  the  spiritual 
nature,  he  needs  constantly  to  be  drawing  afresh  into  his 
soul,  by  faith  and  prayer,  this  breath  of  heaven,  that  the 
spiritual  life  of  holiness  may  be  maintained  and  increased. 
While  we  are  hoping,  and  waiting,  and  longing  for  the  re- 
demption of  our  bodies  and  the  days  of  perfect  holiness, 
find  shall  never  be  satisfied  till  we  awake  after  God's  full 
likeness,  "  the  Spirit  also  hclpeth  our  infirmities,  for  we 
know  not  what  to  pray  for  as  we  ought,  but  the  Spirit 
itself  niaketh  intercession  for  us,  with  groanings  which 
cannot  be  uttered."    Rom.  viii.  2.3 — 27. 

Oh  that  we  may  thirst  to  be  baptized  with  the  Holy 
Ghost !  Oh  that  we  may  long  for  these  living  waters  ! 
Free,  universal,  and  most  gracious  are  the  invitations  of 
our  Divine  Master,  corresponding  to  his  own  heart,  wholly 
full  of  love  to  our  fallen  race.  He  took  the  most  public 
and  the  most  crowded  of  all  occasions  that  he  might  make 
his  love  the  more  widely  known  and  the  more  fully  mani- 
fest. "  In  the  last  day,  that  great  day  of  the  feast,  Jesus 
stood  and  cried,  If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come  unto  me 
and  drink.   He  that  believeth  on  me,  as  the  scripture  luitli 


270 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


said,  out  of  his  belly  shall  flow  rivers  of  living  water.  But 
this  spake  he  of  the  Spirit,  which  they  that  believe  on  him 
should  receive."  John  vii.  37 — 39. 

There  being  this  provision  made  for  our  holiness,  let  no 
man  sit  down,  and  say,  I  can  do  nothing,  I  cannot  make 
myself  holy.  But  let  every  man  be  roused  as  with  a 
trumpet.  May  all  men  hear  the  joyful  sound,  calling  thera 
to  walk  with  God,  and  giving  them  strength  for  this  high 
and  holy  walk.  "  Having  therefore  these  promises,  dearly 
beloved,  let  us  cleanse  ourselves  from  all  filthiness  of  the 
flesh  and  of  the  spirit,  perfecting  holiness  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord."  If  we  do  thus  believe  God's  gi'eat  loving-kindness 
to  us  and  thus  act  upon  it,  we  may  attain,  however  sinful 
and  weak  in  ourselves,  the  fullest  light,  the  highest  joy 
and  the  highest  glory  to  be  gained  here  below.  "  Blessed 
is  the  people  that  know  the  joyful  sound  :  they  shall  walk, 
O  Lord,  in  the  light  of  thy  countenance  ;  in  thy  name  shall 
they  rejoice  all  the  day,  and  in  thy  righteousness  shall 
they  be  exalted."    Psalm  Ixxxix.  1-5,  16. 

Prayer  for  Divine  Strength. 

Almighty  Father,  altogether  free  from  evil,  just,  and 
holy  and  good,  who  by  the  love  of  parents,  though  evil  to 
their  children,  hast  taught  us  that  thou  wilt  much  more 
give  thy  Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  Thee  :  bestow  on  me 
thy  Holy  Spirit :  sanctify  me  wholly,  and  grant  that  my 
whole  spirit  and  soul  and  body  may  be  preserved  blameless 
unto  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


ON  AFFLICTIONS. 


271 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

ON  AFFLICTIONS. 

1.  The  varied  afflictions  of  life — 2.  The  cause  of  them— 3.  The  improyemeiit 
of  them— 4.  The  healing  of  them. 

1.  THE  VARIED   AFFLICTIONS  OF  TIIIS  LIFE. 

To  increase  that  holiness  which  is  requisite  for  our  eternal 
happiness,  we  need  affliction  (Heb.  xii.  10.)  and  daily  con- 
flict with  our  spiritual  enemies. 

There  are  few  subjects  that  come  more  home  to  every 
bosom  than  that  of  affliction.  Though  in  the  energy  and 
buoyancy  of  youth,  and  in  the  liveliness  and  joyfulness  of 
fresh  hopes,  things  appear  free  from  sorrow,  yet  even  such 
have  their  misgivings,  and  their  seasons  of  depression. 
And,  without  exception,  "  man  is  born  to  trouble,  as  the 
sparks  fly  upward." 

The  mercies  of  God  are,  indeed,  infinitely  more  numer- 
ous. We  receive  ten  thousand  mercies  for  one  trial.  Every 
hour  and  every  moment  is  full  of  God's  goodness  ;  so  that 
the  believer  can  say,  "  How  precious  are  thy  thoughts 
unto  me,  O  God  !  How  great  is  the  sum  of  them  !  If  I 
should  count  them,  they  are  more  in  number  than  the 
sand."  Psalm  cxxxix.  17.  And,  indeed,  afflictions,  rightly 
viewed  and  received,  are  truly  to  be  reckoned  among  these 
precious  thoughts  of  God's  love  to  us. 

Yet  very  varied  and  multiplied  are  the  afflictions  through 
which  we  have  to  pass.  Our  bodies  are  fearfully  and 
wonderfully  made,  and  composed  of  such  numerous  parts, 


272 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


and  those  so  exquisitely  delicate  and  sensitive,  that  they 
furnish  innumerable  means  and  inlets  of  pleasure,  or  of 
pain.  Each  of  tlie  five  senses,  seeing,  hearing,  feeling, 
tasting  and  smelling,  becomes,  if  diseased  or  defective,  an 
occasion  of  suffering.  What  sorrows  and  afflictions  are 
connected  with  blindness  and  deafness,  those  labouring 
under  such  infirmities  well  know  !  The  various  members 
of  the  hody  may,  in  a  similar  manner,  from  disease  or  loss, 
cause  us  deep  suffering.  The  head-ache,  the  ear-ache,  the 
tooth-ache,  a  fit  of  the  stone  or  of  the  gout,  can  disorder 
the  whole  frame.  Lameness  in  the  feet  confines  us  to  our 
dwelling  ;  and  disease  in  the  hands  prevents  our  working. 
A  paralytic  stroke  disables  the  whole  body.  A  fever  dis- 
order's the  entire  constitution.  The  most  feehle  means  or 
instrument  employed  by  God  can  overwhelm  us  with  dan- 
gerous disease  and  speed}'  death.  The  miracle  is,  not  that 
we  have  so  much  sickness,  but  that,  amidst  so  many  things 
exposing  us  to  its  loss,  we  are  preserved  in  health. 

Our  MINDS  are  another  fruitful  source  of  affliction. 
Wonderful  is  that  faculty  by  which  a  man  thinks  and 
reasons ;  plans  and  determines  ;  feels  powerful  affections, 
loves  and  hates,  fears  and  hopes,  desires  and  enjoys.  All 
these,  duly  regulated,  are  sources  of  good  and  means  of 
blessedness.  All  these,  unregulated  by  God's  will,  are 
sources  of  sorrow  and  affliction,  and  those  even  deeper  and 
more  difficult  to  be  horne  than  what  affects  inerely  the 
body.  "  The  spirit  of  a  man  will  sustain  his  infirmity, 
but  a  wounded  spirit  who  can  hear  ? "  Prov.  xviii.  14. 
Worldly  cares  and  anxieties,  disappointed  hopes  and  ex- 
pectations, mortified  pride,  neglect,  and  contempt  of  our 
fellow-creatures,  their  frauds  and  injuries  ;  the  mistakes 
which  we  have  made,  our  failures  from  our  own  faults  and 
follies,  the  results  of  our  own  selfishness  and  earthly- 
mindedness,  of  our  own  self-wisdom  and  self-will,  what  in- 
numerable sources  of  bitter  affliction  are  these  ! 

Our  FAMILIES  A\D  RELATIONS,  tliosc  cliief  means  of  our 
domestic  and  most  constant  and  social  happiness,  become 
also  chief  occasions  of  trial  and  affliction.    What  anguish 


ON  AFFLICTIONS. 


273 


rends  a  parent's  heart  in  the  sickness,  and  danger,  and 
loss,  of  a  beloved  child  ;  and  what  grief  a  child  suffers  in 
the  loss  of  a  tender  parent  1  A  husband  follows  the  wife 
of  his  bosom  to  the  silent  sepulchre  with  a  broken  heart, 
and  the  widow  of  a  departed  husband  sits  in  solitary  woe. 
And  these  are  not  the  greatest  of  relative  sorrows.  Many 
a  parent  has  to  say,  I  had  rather  have  followed  my  child 
to  the  grave,  than  that  he  should  ruin  himself,  and  dis- 
honour his  whole  family  by  such  baseness,  and  extrava- 
gance, and  wickedness.  The  higher  a  man  is,  and  the 
more  he  is  encircled  with  the  blessings  of  kindred  and 
friends  ;  the  more  he  is  exposed  to  such  sources  of  sorrow, 
and  he  has  the  oftener  to  go  to  the  house  of  mourning,  and 
to  weep  with  them  that  weep.  What  family  has  not  also 
internal  disorders  ;  the  heads  of  it,  or  the  inmates  of  it,  or 
the  servants  employed  by  it,  either  weak  or  sickly,  head- 
strong or  unruly,  or,  in  some  other  way,  causes  of  affliction 
to  each  other  ! 

And  if  we  were  free  from  these  varied  causes  of  affliction, 
who  can  behold  the  afflictions  of  his  fellow  men 
without  partaking  of  them  in  some  degree  ?  Not  only  as 
Christians,  but  as  belonging  to  the  one  family  of  man,  and 
descended  from  one  common  parent,  we  cannot  but  have 
some  share  in  the  sufferings  of  others  :  "  If  one  member 
suffer,  all  the  members  suffer  with  it  ;  or  one  member  be 
honoured,  all  the  members  rejoice  with  it."  1  Cor.  xii.  26. 
We  see  this  most  vividly  and  distinctly  in  an  united 
family,  and  among  true  Christians  ;  but  it  is  in  its  mea- 
sure true  on  a  larger  scale.  There  cannot  be  deep  poverty 
among  one  class,  without  its  affecting  another  class  ;  there 
cannot  be  war  between  hostile  nations  without  an  increase 
of  general  suffering  ;  an  infectious  disorder  cannot  spread, 
without  each  one's  being  lirought  nearer  to  danger.  Thus 
we  have  an  interest,  not  only  in  personal  and  relative 
afflictions,  but  in  afflictions  generally. 

And  still  more,  the  sins  of  men,  as  well  as  his  own, 
which  will  be  more  distinctly  noticed,  cause  a  Christian 
many  a  sigh  and  many  a  sorrow  of  which  the  world  is 


274 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


ignorant,  because  it  sees  not  the  sure  consequence  of  sin, 
and  the  dishonour  it  puts  upon  God,  and  the  evil  it  brings 
on  the  sinner,  and  on  all  connected  with  him.  Truly 
"  the  whole  creation "  thus  "  groaneth  and  travaileth  in 
pain  together." 

After  a  striking  enumeration  of  some  of  the  miseries  of 
this  life,  Bishop  Taylor  eloquently  observes,  '  If  we  could 
from  one  of  tlie  battlements  of  heaven  espy  how  many 
men  and  women  at  this  time  lie  fainting  and  dying  for 
want  of  bread,  how  many  young  men  are  hewn  down  by  the 
sword  of  war,  how  many  poor  orphans  are  now  weeping 
over  the  graves  of  their  father,  bj-  whose  life  they  were 
enabled  to  eat ;  if  we  could  but  hear  how  many  mariners 
and  passengers  are  at  this  present  in  a  storm,  and  shriek 
out  because  their  keel  dashes  against  a  rock,  or  bulges 
under  them  ;  how  many  people  there  are  that  weep  with 
want,  and  are  mad  with  oppression,  or  are  desperate  by  too 
quick  a  sense  of  a  constant  infelicity,  in  all  reason  we 
should  be  glad  to  be  out  of  the  noise  and  participation  of 
so  many  evils.  This  is  a  place  of  sorrows  and  tears,  of 
great  evils  and  a  constant  calamity  ;  let  us  remove  from 
hence,  at  least  in  affections  and  preparation  of  mind.' 

Meditation. 

How  tremendous  an  evil  must  that  be  which  causes  all 
these  sorrows  !  God  is  the  God  of  power,  of  wisdom,  and 
of  love,  and  yet  such  an  evil  is  in  man's  sinfulness,  that  all 
these  afflictions  are  fully  requisite  to  shew  its  true  nature, 
and  stubbornness,  and  abomination.  In  every  sorrow  and 
suffering,  in  every  agony  and  distress,  may  I  discern  "  the 
sinfulness  of  sin  !  " 

2.  THE  CAUSE  OF  THESE  AFFLICTIONS. 

The  true  cause  of  affliction  must  be  seen  to  enable  us  to 
reap  the  full  benefit  which  it  is  designed  to  communicate. 
"  Affliction  cometh  not  forth  of  the  dust,  neither  doth 
trouble  spring  out  of  the  ground."  Job  v.  6. 


ON  AFFLICTIONS. 


275 


Nor  has  our  heavenly  Father  any  pleasure  in  the  sor- 
rows of  his  creatures.  Sinful  man  may  delight  in  the  ex- 
ercise of  tyrannical  power,  and  the  oppressor  find  a  bar- 
bai'ous  joy  in  the  sufferings  of  those  whom  he  oppresses. 
But  our  God  has  solemnly  sworn  by  himself  that  it  is  not 
so  with  him  :  "  As  I  live,  saith  the  Lord,  I  have  no  plea- 
sure in  the  death  of  the  wicked,  but  that  the  wicked  turn 
from  his  way  and  live."  Ezek.  xxiii.  11. 

The  first  cause  of  affliction  is  sin  ;  this  is  the  whole  rea- 
son, indeed,  of  any  of  God's  creatures  suffering.  "  Fools, 
because  of  their  transgressions  and  because  of  their  ini- 
quity, are  afflicted."  Psalm  cvii.  17.  "  Wherefore  doth  a 
living  man  complain,  a  man  for  the  punishment  of  his 
sins?"  Lam.  iii.  89.  The  penitent  is  represented  as  saying, 
"  I  will  bear  the  indignation  of  the  Lord,  because  I  have 
sinned  against  him."  Micah  vii.  9.  And  God  graciously 
shews  why  he  connects  afflictions  with  sin.  "  Thine  own 
wickedness  shall  correct  thee,  and  thy  backslidings  shall 
reprove  thee  ;  know,  therefore,  and  see  that  it  is  an  evil 
thing  and  bitter  that  thou  hast  forsaken  the  Lord  thy  God, 
and  that  my  fear  is  not  in  thee,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts." 
Jer.  ii.  19. 

The  history  of  Israel  unveils  to  us  throughout  the  reason 
of  afflictions.  Everywhere  you  see  national  affliction  follow- 
ing national  sins,  and  personal  sorrows  following  personal 
sins.  Even  God's  children  liave  to  endure  chastisements 
for  their  sins.  David  falls  into  sin,  and  what  a  life  of 
affliction  is  the  consequence  in  his  own  family,  and  in  his 
kingdom  !  What  miseries  came  upon  him  !  "  The  sword 
departs  not  from  his  house,"  because  he  despised  God  in 
the  iniquity  which  he  had  committed.  His  neglect  of  his 
children,  and  his  spoiling  them,  is  punished  by  their  wick- 
edness and  his  miserable  end.  Indeed  we  may  truly  say 
that  in  this  life  God's  children  do  specially  suffer  for  their 
sins  :  "  You  only  have  I  known  of  all  the  families  of  the 
earth,  therefore  will  I  punish  you  for  all  your  iniquities." 
Amos  iii.  2.  There  is  perfect  righteousness  with  God  in 
all  his  dealings  with  men.    It  is  only  when  men  are  obsti- 

T  2 


276  CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 

nately  and  wilfully  set  on  sin,  that  they  are  left  to  them- 
selves, "  Ephraim  is  joined  to  idols,  let  him  alone."  Hosea 
iv.  17.  "  My  people  would  not  hearken  to  my  voice,  and 
Israel  would  none  of  me,  so  I  gave  them  up  unto  their  own 
hearts'  lusts,  and  they  walked  in  their  own  counsels.  Oh 
that  my  people  had  hearkened  unto  me,  and  Israel  had 
walked  in  niy  ways  !  "  Psalm  Ixxxi.  11 — 13.  Calamities 
without  number,  from  the  time  of  the  captivity  of  the  Ten 
Tribes,  even  to  the  present  hour,  would  have  been  avoided, 
had  they  hearkened  to  the  Lord,  and  walked  in  his 
w^ays  ! 

Though  sin,  then,  is  the  primary  cause  of  afiSiction,  it 
will  hence  appear  that  God's  wise  and  righteous  love 
TO  MEN  is  the  deeper  and  fuller  reason  for  all  our  afflictions. 
Just  as  when  a  parent  punishes  a  child  for  a  fault  that  the 
child  has  committed,  the  fault  is  the  primary  cause  of 
punishment,  but  the  love  of  the  parent,  having  respect  to 
the  child's  best  and  most  enduring  good,  is  the  deeper  reason 
of  the  correction,  so  it  is  with  our  God  :  only  with  a  fuller 
wisdom  and  grace  beyond  all  comparison.  "  We  have  had 
fathers  of  our  flesh  which  corrected  us,  and  we  gave  them 
reverence,  shall  we  not  much  rather  be  in  subjection  to  the 
Father  of  spirits  and  live.  For  they  verily  for  a  few  days 
chastened  us  after  their  own  pleasure,  but  he  for  our  profit, 
that  we  might  be  partakers  of  his  holiness."   Heb.  xii.  i),  10. 

To  be  without  chastisement  is  to  be  without  one  proof  of 
fatherly  love  and  adoption  into  his  family  ;  "  for  whom  the 
Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,  and  scourgeth  every  son  whom 
he  receiveth."    Heb,  xii.  G. 

Here,  then,  we  have  the  full  reason  of  all  the  afflictions 
through  which  sinful  men  pass.  There  is  a  stubbornness 
of  evil  to  be  subdued  ;  there  is  a  flinty  hardness  of  sin  to 
be  broken  ;  the  unsightly  mineral  has  to  be  purged  from 
its  dross  in  the  severe  furnace.  And  when  taken  out  of 
the  furnace,  it  has  to  be  wrought  by  many  a  blow  of  the 
hammer  and  many  a  sharp  application  of  the  suitable 
instrument,  to  make  it  a  useful  and  beautiful  vessel  for  the 
Master's  house.    The  more,  too,  the  vessel  excels  in  beauty, 


ON  AFFLICTIONS. 


277 


the  longer  and  the  more  painful  is  the  process  by  which 
that  more  perfect  beauty  is  attained. 

We  cannot  indeed  now,  till  the  end  be  accomplished,  see 
the  reason  for  all  this  previous  suffering.  A  person  seeing 
valuable  ore  of  gold  or  silver  gathered  from  the  mine,  and 
unacquainted  with  the  way  of  its  being  purified,  might  be 
amazed  to  see  it  cast  into  a  heated  furnace.  He  would  see 
something  accomplished  indeed,  in  its  coming  out  pure  and 
refined.  But  when  he  saw  this  purified  metal  put  under 
the  powerful  hammer,  and  again  and  again  smitten  with 
heavy  blows,  he  might  say,  Will  it  not  be  dashed  to  pieces  ? 
But  still  he  would,  sensible  of  his  ignorance,  trust  the 
workman  for  his  wisdom  and  skill.  And  shall  not  we 
trust  him  who  has  both  infinite  wisdom  and  boundless 
love,  and  who  measures  every  trial  and  every  blow  as  best 
for  the  final  good  of  his  children  1  The  reason  of  all  God's 
dealings  with  his  people  has  yet  to  be  fully  manifested  ; 
"  What  I  do  thou  knowest  not  now,  but  thou  shalt  know 
hereafter."  John  xiii.  "  Every  man's  work  shall  be  made 
manifest,  for  the  day  shall  declare  it,"  (1  Cor.  iii.  13.) 
"that  the  trial  of  your  faith  being  much  more  precious 
than  of  gold  that  perisheth,  though  it  be  tried  with  fire, 
might  be  found  unto  praise,  and  honour,  and  glory,  at  the 
appearing  of  Jesus  Christ."    1  Peter  i.  7. 

We  may  learn  from  this  view  not  to  judge,  as  Job's 
fi-iends  did  of  him,  that  affliction  is  a  mark  of  special  sin, 
but  rather  to  see  that  it  is  a  "  token  for  good  "  and  a  proof 
of  paternal  love.  Look  at  that  most  eminent  sei-vant  of 
God,  St.  Paul  ;  how  he  joins  together  (when  writing  to 
Timothy)  the  holy  graces  which  God  had  bestowed  upon 
him,  and  the  afflictions  through  which  he  had  passed. 
"Thou  hast  fully  known  my  doctrine,  manner  of  life, 
purpose,  faith,  long-suffering,  charity,  patience,  persecu- 
tions, afflictions  which  came  on  me  at  Antioch,  at  Iconium, 
at  Lystra  ;  what  persecutions  I  endured  :  but  out  of  them 
all,  the  Lord  delivered  me.  Yea,  and  all  that  will  live  godly 
in  Christ  Jesus  shall  suffer  persecution."  2  Tim.  iii.  10. 


278 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Prayer  to  discern  God's  design  in  Afflictions. 

Lord,  I  believe,  help  my  unbelief.  Help  me,  as  I  know- 
that  by  my  sinfulness  I  have  justly  merited  all  my  sufiFer- 
ings,  so  I  may  discern  also  clearly  and  distinctly  tliy  in- 
finite wisdom  and  boundless  love  ;  thou  dost  not  give  me 
up  to  my  sins,  but  by  fatherly  chastisements  wouldest 
correct  me  and  make  me  meet  for  thy  heavenly  family. 
Let  me  see  that  in  very  faithfulness  thou  hast  afflicted  me, 
and  wholly  submit  myself  to  thy  hands  through  Jesus  my 
Redeemer.  Amen. 

3.  THE  RIGHT  IMPROVEMENT  OF  AFFLICTION. 

Here  is  the  turning  point  between  a  beneficial  affliction, 
and  one  that  leaves  the  soul  more  sinful  and  exposed  to 
severer  suffering.  Oh  that  we  were  wise  and  understood 
how  vain  it  is  to  contend  with  God,  and  the  extreme  folly 
of  refusing  to  submit  to  the  first  stroke  of  his  chastise- 
ment ! 

Afflictions  may  harden  the  heart  and  thus  aggravate  our 
guilt,  till  they  issue  in  our  final  and  everlasting  ruin. 
God's  design  in  them  is  not  so.  "  For  he  doth  not  afflict 
willingly,  nor  grieve  the  cliildren  of  men."  Lam.  iii.  33. 
'•  But  he  that,  being  often  reproved,  hardeneth  his  neck, 
shall  suddenly  be  destroyed,  and  that  without  remedy." 
Prov.  xxix.  1.  We  have  in  the  first  chapter  of  Proverbs  a 
very  full  statement  of  the  way  of  God's  gracious  dealings  ; 
his  earnest  invitations,  his  warm  expostulation,  his  firm 
reproof  and  gracious  promises,  and  then  man's  setting  at 
nought  all  his  counsel,  and  rejecting  all  his  reproofs,  and 
so,  because  they  despise  all  his  reproofs,  perishing  without 
remedy.  "  For  the  turning  away  of  the  simple  shall  slay 
them,  and  the  prosperity  of  fools  shall  destroy  them." 
Prov.  i.  32. 

The  DESPISING  OF  AFFLICTIONS  is  expressly  forbidden. 
"  My  son,  despise  not  the  chastening  of  the  Lord,  neither 
be  weary  of  his  correction."    Prov.  iii.  11.    In  some  awful 


ON  AFFLICTIONS. 


279 


instances  of  daring  and  obstinate  sinners,  God  gives  them 
up  to  their  own  hardness  of  heart,  and  all  his  judgments  and 
mercies  too,  every  blow  and  every  respite  from  a  blow,  are 
the  righteous  occasion  of  increasing  hardness  of  heart  before 
final  destruction.  Such  persons  are  monuments  of  God's 
power  and  wi-ath,  to  deter  others  from  sin.  Pharaoh  was 
a  memorable  instance  of  this  :  "  For  the  scripture  saith 
unto  Pharaoh,  even  for  this  same  purpose  have  I  raised 
thee  up,  that  I  might  shew  my  power  in  thee,  and  that  my 
name  might  be  declared  through  the  earth."  0  how  terri- 
ble a  state  is  that  of  hardened  and  impenitent  sinners, 
receiving  affliction  upon  affliction,  and  still  contending 
against  God  in  a  vain  contention,  and  at  length  consigned 
by  his  righteous  wrath  to  everlasting  ruin  ! 

This  judgment  is  God's  "  strange  work."  Isaiah  xxviii. 
21.  It  comes  after  the  failure  of  all  other  remedies.  How 
long  his  fatherly  chastisements  corrected  Israel !  He  him- 
self testifies,  "  Why  should  ye  be  stricken  any  more,  ye 
will  revolt  more  and  more  ;  "  and  then  he  enumerates  the 
wounds  and  bruises  which  had  been  in  vain  inflicted  on 
them.  This  led  at  length  to  their  rejection  and  lengthened 
captivity.  "The  Lord  God  of  their  fathers  sent  to  them 
by  his  messengers,  rising  up  betimes,  and  sending,  because 
he  had  compassion  on  his  people,  and  on  his  dwelling- 
place  ;  but  they  mocked  the  messengers  of  God,  and  despised 
his  word,  and  misused  his  prophets,  until  the  wratli  of  the 
Lord  arose  against  his  people,  till  there  was  no  remedy, 
therefore  he  brought  upon  them  the  king  of  the  Chaldees." 
2  Chron.  xxxvi.  15 — 17. 

Oh,  Christian  reader !  when  we  consider  the  power  of 
the  Almighty  to  punish  ;  the  endless  means  that  he  has 
to  crush  all  rebellion,  and  the  infinite  long-suftering  and 
patience  which  be  has  hitherto  manifested,  how  should  we 
humble  ourselves  and  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come  ! 

But  there  is  another  misusing  of  affliction  ;  sinking  and 
FAINTING  UNDER  CHASTISEMENT.  We  are  bid  also  "  not 
to  faint"  when  "  we  are  rebuked  of  him."  Many  of  God's 
eminent  saints  have  been  in  danger  of  this.    Thus  Joshua 


280 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


was  ready  to  faint  at  the  discomfiture  of  Israel,  Joshua 
vii.  7 — 9;  Thus,  David  was  ready  to  faint  at  the  smiting 
of  Uzzah.  2  Sam.  vi.  8,  9.  Even  the  apostle  Paul  was 
almost  in  this  danger.  2  Cor.  iv.  8,  9.  Job  severely  felt 
this  temptation  through  his  lengthened  trial. 

And,  indeed,  when  left  to  ourselves,  how  little  can  we 
bear  up  under  the  trials  of  this  life !  We  see,  we  feel, 
we  groan  under  the  present  affliction,  which  darkens  all 
our  hopes,  and  withers  all  our  enjoyments.  But  we  see 
not,  through  our  unbelief  of  God's  word,  his  wisdom  and 
love  in  our  trials :  we  wait  not,  through  our  impatience 
and  irritability,  the  issue  of  them  :  we  rejoice  not  in  hope 
of  the  glory  of  God,  because  we  lose  sight  of  God's  precious 
promises. 

Let  us  then  look  at  all  the  saints  of  God  from  the  be- 
ginning, and  see  how,  "  through  much  tribulation,"  they 
entered  the  kingdom  of  God.  St.  James  tells  us,  "  Take, 
my  brethren,  the  prophets  who  have  spoken  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord,  for  an  example  of  suffering  affliction,  and  of 
patience.  Behold,  we  count  them  happy  which  endure. 
Ye  have  heard  of  the  patience  of  Job,  and  have  seen  the 
end  of  the  Lord,  that  the  Lord  is  very  pitiful  and  of  tender 
mercy." 

This  leads  us  to  point  out  distinctly  the  right  use  of 
affliction.  And  that  we  may  be  strengthened  for  our  duty 
in  this,  we  must  first  look  unto  Jesus,  and  gather  our 
chief  encouragement  from  his  glorious  example.  "  For 
consider  him  that  endured  such  contradiction  of  sinners 
against  himself,  lest  ye  be  wearied,  and  faint  in  your 
minds."  Heb.  xii.  3.  He  is  our  Master,  he  is  our  Leader. 
He  went  by  the  cross  to  the  crown  :  he  fixed  his  eye  on 
the  joy  set  before  him,  and  so  patiently  "  endured  the  cross, 
despising  the  shame."  It  is  the  very  token  and  badge  of 
our  discipleship.  He  has  told  us,  "  In  the  world  ye  shall 
have  tribulation."  He  has  also  told  us,  "  If  they  have  per- 
secuted me,  they  will  also  persecute  you."  But  we  know 
too,  that  "  if  we  suffer,  we  shall  also  reign  with  him." 

Patience  is  then  a  real  improvement  of  affliction.    "  If 


ON  AFFLICTIONS. 


281 


ye  endure  chastening,  God  dealeth  with  you  as  with  sons." 
The  first  and  natural  effect  of  sharp  trials  and  afflictions  is 
to  produce  impatience  and  to  provoke  wrong  tempers  and 
unholy  passions  ;  but,  if,  knowing  our  free  justification  by 
faith,  "  we  have  peace  with  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,"  then  the  very  reverse  of  this  is  the  happy  issue  ; 
"  tribulation  worketh  patience,  and  patience  experience, 
and  expei'ience  hope."  Rom.  v.  3. 

Entire  submission,  saying  from  the  heart  "  the  will  of 
the  Lord  be  done,"  is  another  due  reception  of  affliction. 
God  "  giveth  grace  to  the  humble,  submit  yourselves  there- 
fore to  God."  James  iv.  6,  7.  "  Humble  yourselves  there- 
fore under  the  mighty  hand  of  God,  that  he  may  exalt  you 
in  due  time."  1  Peter  v.  6.  This  is  the  posture  of  one  who 
believes  and  loves  :  my  Father  has  done  and  will  do  all 
things  well.  I  know  whom  I  believe.  I  am  sure  of  his 
wisdom  and  his  righteousness  in  everything,  and  I  yield 
mj'self  entirely  to  his  disposal.  What  sweet  peace  does 
such  resignation  produce  in  the  heart  ! 

But  the  scriptures  seek  to  raise  us  to  yet  higher  blessed- 
ness, JOY  IN  AFFLICTION.  "  My  bretlircu,  count  it  all  joy 
when  ye  fall  into  divers  temptations ;  knowing  this,  that 
the  trial  of  your  faith  worketh  patience.  But  let  patience 
have  her  perfect  work,  that  ye  may  be  perfect  and  entire, 
wanting  nothing.  James  i.  2 — 4.  It  is  the  triumph  of 
Christian  grace  lo  make  the  worst  things  of  this  world,  so 
the  very  best  things  to  our  souls'  welfare,  that  we  can 
thank  God  for  them.  It  is  a  great  thing  to  be  "  rejoicing 
in  hope,  patient  in  tribulation,  continuing  instant  in 
prayer,"  (Rom.  xii.  12,)  but  it  is  a  still  higher  degree  of 
grace  to  "  glory  in  tribulation  also,''  (Rom.  v.  .3,)  "  to  be 
exceeding  joyful  in  all  our  tribulation,"  (2  Cor.  vii.  4,)  to 
he  able  to  say,  "  I  take  pleasure  in  infirmities,  in  re- 
proaches, in  necessities,  in  persecutions,  in  distresses,  for 
Christ's  sake."  2  Cor.  xii.  10.  So  mightily  can  the  grace 
of  God  change  the  very  character  of  affliction. 

Oiice  more,  the  right  improvement  of  affliction  is  to  glo- 
rify God  IN  OCR  trials.    And  this  we  do  when  we  ac- 


282 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


knowledge  both  his  righteousiiess  and  goodness  in  them  ; 
and  earnestly  seek  that  all  his  designs  of  love  should  be 
accomplished  by  them,  by  our  souls  being  purified  and 
sanctified  through  them.  It  is  his  express  command, 
"  Glorify  ye  the  Lord  in  the  fires."  Isaiah  xxiv.  15.  When 
the  third  part  of  Israel,  in  days  yet  to  come,  are  brought 
through  the  fire,  and  refined  as  silver  and  gold,  we  read, 
"  they  shall  call  on  my  name,  and  I  will  hear  them  ;  I 
will  say,  It  is  my  people,  and  they  shall  say.  The  Lord  is 
my  God."  Zech.  xiii.  9.  Habakkuk  thus  glorified  God, 
when  amidst  the  failure  of  all  earthly  joys,  he  only  took 
the  more  occasion  to  testify,  "  Yet  will  I  rejoice  in  the 
Lord,  I  will  joy  in  the  God  of  my  salvation."  Hab.  iii.  18. 
So  David  glorified  God  when  he  humbly  submitted  to  Shi- 
mei's  curses,  seeing  in  them  God's  rigliteousness.  The 
great  fault  of  nominal  Christians  in  this  day  has  been, 
that  amidst  all  the  pouring  out  of  the  vials  "  they  re- 
pented not,  to  give  God  glory."  Rev.  xvi.  9.  May  we  then 
see  and  acknowledge  the  loving-kindness  of  God  in  all  his 
dealings  with  us,  and  be  especially  careful  to  honour  his 
holy  name. 

Prayer  for  grace  rightly  to  receive  affliction. 

0  my  God,  by  ■n^hose  grace  alone  so  weak  and  polluted  a 
creature  can  please  thee  or  be  kept  from  sinning  against 
thee,  suffer  me  not  either  to  harden  my  heart  by  despising 
thy  chastening,  or  to  faint  when  rebuked  of  thee.  Give  me 
grace  to  look  stedfastly  unto  the  Lord  Jesus,  who,  made 
perfect  through  suffering,  is  now  seated  at  thy  right  hand, 
and  may  I  in  his  spirit  of  patience,  submission,  and  re- 
joicing in  the  happy  issue  of  sufferings,  go  through  my  far 
less  sorrows,  seeking  only  in  all  to  glorify,  as  he  did,  thy 
holy  name.    Hear  me  for  his  sake.  Amen, 

4.  THE  HEALING  OF  AFFLICTIONS. 

How  may  we  most  effectually  have  the  stroke  of  afflic- 
tion removed,  and  the  wound  of  affliction  healed  2  Simply 


ON  AFFLICTIONS, 


283 


by  returning  to  the  Lord.  This  is  made  very  plain  in  many 
directions  of  scripture. 

There  may  be  a  false  healing,  founded  on  false  prin- 
ciples, very  dangerous  and  very  delusive.  Jeremiah  speaks 
thus  against  the  prophets  and  priests  of  his  day,  "  They 
have  healed  the  hurt  of  the  daughter  of  my  people  slightly, 
saying,  Peace,  peace,  when  there  is  no  peace."  Jer.  vi.  14. 
Ezekiel  calls  this,  building  a  wall,  "  and  daubing  it  with 
untempered  mortar,"  so  that  it  falls  down  when  the 
showers  come.  Ezek.  xiii.  10 — 12.  Our  Lord  also  com- 
pares it  to  a  building  "  a  house  on  the  sand,"  that  cannot 
abide  the  storm. 

All  mere  palliatives  of  human  invention  are  of  this  cha- 
racter. When  the  blame  is  laid  by  us  on  others,  rather 
than  on  ourselves  ;  when  our  fancied  amendment  is  made 
the  ground  of  our  hopes  ;  when  our  attention  to  the  ex- 
ternal decencies  of  religion  is  only  made  a  cover  for  our 
real  alienation  of  heart  from  God,  all  this  is  false  healing. 
When  good  is  expected  merely  from  man,  and  relief  looked 
for  only  from  an  arm  of  flesh,  hovs^ever  promising  or  flat- 
tering the  prospect  be,  it  is  a  false  healing  :  "  Thy  prophets 
have  seen  vain  and  foolish  things  for  thee  ;  and  they  have 
not  discovered  thine  iniquity,  to  turn  away  thy  captivity, 
but  have  seen  for  thee  false  burdens  and  causes  of  banish- 
ment." Lam.  ii.  14. 

All  such  false  healing  will  only  in  the  result  occasion 
deeper  wounds  and  soitows.  These  palliatives  may  be  de- 
lightful for  the  moment  to  the  natural  heart,  but  in  the  re- 
sult they  are  very  prejudicial  and  ruinous. 

Real  healing  comes  in  quite  another  way  ;  in  the 
discovery  of  our  deep  sinfulness  and  wickedness  ;  in 
humbling  ourselves  on  this  account  before  God,  and  in  re- 
turning to  him  with  the  whole  heart.  His  gracious  invi- 
tation, putting  the  very  words  of  return  into  our  mouth,  is, 
"  Come,  let  us  return  unto  the  Lord,  for  he  hath  torn,  and 
he  will  heal  us  ;  he  hath  smitten,  and  he  will  bind  us  up  ; 
after  two  days  will  he  revive  us  ;  in  the  third  day  he  will 
raise  us  up,  and  we  shall  live  in  his  sight."  Hosea  vi.  1,  2. 


284 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the  only  effectual  Physician 
who  heals  every  wound.  Our  sorrows  are  caused  by  our 
sins,  and  we  are  too  proud  to  see  and  acknowledge  the 
painful  truth.  To  meet  this  extreme  corruption  of  human 
nature,  one  altogether  without  sin,  one  so  exalted  as  to  be 
above  all  involuntary  suffering,  came  from  heaven.  He  is 
the  only -begotten  Son  of  God,  and  one  with  God,  and  yet 
"  he  hath  borne  our  griefs  and  carried  our  sorrows."  This 
amazing  expression  of  divine  love  melts  our  corrupt  hearts 
entirely  by  its  exceeding  grace  and  loving-kindness,  and 
discovers  to  us  the  cause  and  the  evil  of  our  disease,  with- 
out arming  against  our  real  interests,  our  prejudices.  It 
she^vs  us,  in  the  sufferings  of  another,  what  sin  really  is, 
and  so  opens  the  way  for  our  trulj^  seeing  our  own  cha- 
racter, and  God's  character,  and  loathing  and  abliorring 
ourselves  for  our  vileness.  Thus  "  by  his  stripes  we  are 
healed,  not  only  as  he  atoned  for  all  our  guilt,  and  has 
procured  the  free  remission  of  all  our  sins,  but  as  our  mind 
is  brought  to  a  right  state.  We  are  thus  enabled  to  view 
God's  dealings  with  us  in  their  just  light,  as  the  dealings  of 
paternal  love  ;  and  the  way  is  prepared,  either  for  the  re- 
moval of  afflictions,  by  their  having  answered  their  designed 
end,  or,  if  it  be  to  our  profit  that  they  should  be  continued, 
for  their  becoming  both  greater  and  fuller  blessings.  They 
become  such  by  present  sanctificatiou,  and  by  preparing  for 
us  a  richer  crown  of  glory  hereafter — working  now  so  as  to 
produce  peaceable  fruits  "  of  righteousness,"  and  also 
"  working  out  for  us  hereafter  a  far  more  exceeding  and 
eternal  weight  of  glory." 

This  is  the  true  healing  of  affliction ;  when  we  can  feel  that 
we  are  in  the  hands  of  a  skilful  pliysician,  whose  remedies, 
if  painful,  are  wise  and  healing,  and  who  prefers  our  fu- 
ture and  established  health  to  any  merely  transient  and 
temporary  revival,  that  leaves  us  only  the  more  weak  and 
disabled  afterwards.  Such  a  skilful  Physician,  Christian 
reader,  is  that  blessed  Saviour,  to  whom  we  would  recom- 
mend you  to  apply  in  every  sorrow,  from  a  personal  expe- 
rience of  his  ability  to  save.    It  is  not  a  vain  thing  ;  it  is 


ON  AFFLICTIONS. 


285 


a  reality  ;  it  is  an  incalculable  blessing.  He  can,  he  really 
does  accomplish  his  appointed  office,  "  to  comfort  all  that 
mourn,  to  appoint  unto  them  that  mourn  in  Zion,  to 
give  them  beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for  mourning, 
and  the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness." 
Isaiah  Ixi.  2,  3. 

Prayer  for  the  healing  of  Afflictions. 

0  Lord  Jesus,  thou  Son  of  David,  who  went  about  doing 
good,  and  healing  all  that  were  oppressed  of  the  devil,  and 
who  never  rejected  any  that  came  to  thee,  heal  my  soul,  for 
I  have  sinned  against  thee  ;  help  me  so  to  contemplate  thy 
wounds  and  bruises,  thy  sufferings  and  death  for  my  sins, 
that  I  may  see  sin  to  be  the  worst  of  all  evils,  and  look  to 
thee  for  complete  deliverance  and  sanctification  ;  hear  me 
for  thy  name's  sake.  Amen. 


286 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


CHAPTER  XV. 

ON  THE  CHRISTIAN  CONFLICT. 

1.  Conviction  of  Sin— 2.  The  Inward  Warfare— 3.  The  Benefit  of  it— 4.  The 
Victory  of  the  Soul. 

1.  CONVICTION  OF  SIN. 

There  are  deeper  afflictions,  however,  than  those  which 
merely  affect  the  body,  or  relate  only  to  this  world,  and  to 
our  present  state  ;  I  mean  conviction  of  our  sinfulness 
before  God,  and  of  our  spiritual  danger  through  sin. 

This  heavy  trouble,  wliich  so  little  affects  the  worldly 
mind,  that  it  can  hardly  be  understood  ;  or  if  understood 
is  only  known  as  a  temporary  and  groundless  alarm,  is  to 
the  Cliristian  a  constant  source  of  humiliation  and  afflic- 
tion. The  Psalms,  especially  those  called  penitential  ;  and 
such  as  vi.  xxxii.  xxxviii.  xxxix.  xli.  xlii.  li.  Ixxiv.  Ixxvii. 
Ixxix.  Ixxxv.  cii.  cxxx.  cxliii.  sufficiently  prove  this.  It 
is  a  real  knowledge  of  "  the  plague  of  our  own  heart. 
1  Kings  viii.  38.  David  compares  it  to  "  broken  bones." 
Psalm  li.  8.  He  says,  "  Trouble  and  anguish  have  taken 
hold  on  me."  Ps.  cxix.  143.  St.  Paul  says,  "  0  wretched 
man  that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this 
death?"    Rom.  vii.  24. 

Convictions  of  sin  are  ordinarily  the  first  work  of  the 
Spirit  in  the  sinner's  heart.  "  When  he  is  come,  he  will 
reprove  the  world  of  sin — of  sin,  because  they  believe  not 
on  me."  John  xvi.  8,  0.  Yet  these  convictions,  while 
they  take,  indeed,  a  deeper  and  more  evangelical  cha- 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN  CONFLICT, 


287 


racter,  mark  the  Christian's  path  till  he  lies  down  in  the 
grave. 

There  is  first  much  of  terror  and  alarm  :  or  at  least  of 
anxiety  and  uneasiness  of  mind.  When  the  understanding 
is  enlightened  to  see  the  majesty  and  holiness,  the  purity 
and  excellence  of  God  :  the  spiritualitj'  and  extent,  and 
yet  the  perfect  reasonableness  of  his  holy  law  ;  when  the 
quickly-coming  judgment,  with  all  its  strictness  and  im- 
partiality, publicity  and  perfect  righteousness,  and  with 
its  never-ending  consequences,  the  etei'nal  fire  or  the  eternal 
glory,  are  really  known  and  believed,  who  that  knows  him- 
self can  but  tremble  1  Even  Felix,  when  Paul  reasoned  of 
righteousness,  temperance  and  judgment  to  come,  trembled 
before  his  prisoner,  and  could  not  bear  the  subject.  Even 
a  temporary  alarm  and  an  earthquake  made  the  jailor  fall 
trembling  before  Paul  and  Silas,  and  say,  "  Sirs,  what 
must  1  do  to  be  saved  1 " 

Yet  many  are  thus  far  alarmed,  and  go  no  further. 
Ahab  humbled  himself ;  Judas  repented  ;  some  for  "  a 
while  believe,  but  in  time  of  temptation  fall  away."  Con- 
victions of  sin  that  are  saving,  are  connected  with  the  sense 
of  the  evil  of  another  sin,  that  the  worldly  mind  little  re- 
gards,— the  sin  of  not  believing  in  Christ  ;  the  most  heinous 
reality  of  all  our  sins,  when  the  full  truths  of  his  glorious 
gospel  have  been  distinctly  set  before  us.  This  is  the  con- 
demning sin  of  lands  where  the  light  of  revelation  shines, 
that  makes  it  come  to  pass  that  it  is  "  more  tolerable  for 
Sodom  and  Gomorrah,"  than  for  those  who  reject  the 
gospel."  Luke  x.  12.  Our  Lord  states  this  unbelief  as  the 
special  condemnation  of  men.  "  This  is  the  condemna- 
tion, that  light  is  come  into  the  world,  and  men  loved 
darkness  rather  than  light,  because  their  deeds  were  evil." 
John  iii.  10. 

But  great  as  this  evil  is,  we  need  to  be  awakened  to  a 
sense  of  it  by  divine  teaching,  and  the  convictions  of  sin 
under  this  teaching  are  indeed  truly  huml)ling  and  con- 
founding, leading  to  self-loathing  and  abhorrence. 

To  see  and  know  that  God  should  make  such  a  wonder- 


288 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


ful  provision  of  love  as  not  to  spare  his  own  Son,  but  "  de- 
liver him  up  for  us  all,"  and  yet  we  should  slight  it  all, 
and  despise  and  reject  it  ! — to  discern  the  record  that 
"  God  hath  given  to  us  eternal  life,  and  this  life  is  in  his 
Son  ;  and  yet  that  we  should  have  insulted  this  amazing 
love  by  not  believing  this  record,  and  so  in  reality  have 
committed  the  aggravated  sin  of  "  not  believing  God,  and 
have  made  him  a  liar."  1  John  v.  10, 11.  Here  is  the  highest 
character  of  sin's  abomination.    Heb.  vi.  4 — 8  ;  x.  26 — 30. 

And  if  Satan  have  tempted  us  in  our  ignorance,  as  he 
did  St.  Paul,  to  be  "  a  blasphemer  and  a  persecutor,  and 
injurious,  we  shall,  when  brought  to  the  knowledge  of 
God's  love  in  Christ  Jesus,  like  that  blessed  apostle,  count 
ourselves  "the  chief  of  sinners"  because  of  such  opposition 
to  the  truth  and  church  of  God. 

The  goodness  of  God  in  sparing  us,  forgiving  all  our  sins, 
and  at  length  restoring  us,  is  that  which  most  breaks  the 
hard  heart,  most  effectually  leads  to  repentance,  and  brings 
us  at  last  to  "  loathe  ourselves  in  our  own  sight  for  all  the 
evil "  that  we  have  done.    Ezek.  xx.  43. 

Prayer  for  Conviction  of  Sin. 

O  Lord,  how  hard  is  my  heart !  how  little  impressed 
either  by  judgments  or  mercies  !  Send  then  at  length 
thine  own  Spirit  to  convince  me  of  my  sins,  and  especially 
of  the  evil  heart  of  unbelief,  the  soul-ruinous  sin.  Take 
away,  according  to  thy  precious  promise,  the  heart  of  stone, 
and  give  me  a  heart  of  flesh  ;  that  humbling  myself  under 
thy  mighty  hand,  I  may  be  a  partaker  of  thy  precious  pro- 
mises through  Jesus  Christ  my  Lord.  Amen. 

2.  THE  INWARD  WARFARE. 

How  little  at  the  commencement  of  a  Christian  life  does 
the  Christian  know  himself!  There  is  so  much  joy  in 
believing,  so  much  happiness  to  be  found  in  the  freshness 
of  Christian  truths,  and  in  the  liveliness  of  Christian  hope, 
that  his  soul  is  carried  through  all  the  difficulties  which 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN  CONFLICT. 


289 


first  beset  his  path,  and  he  thinks  of  little  but  a  joyful  and 
triumphant  career  to  heavenly  glory.  The  flesh  seems 
dead,  and  only  the  spirit  to  be  living  and  vigorous.  So 
good  is  our  God,  often  to  give,  at  the  beginning,  this  joy  in 
Christ,  to  strengthen  us  in  our  first  commencement  of  our 
spiritual  course. 

But  this  state  of  things  does  not  ordinarily  continue  very 
long.  It  is  needful  to  run  the  race,  and  in  doing  so,  every 
weight,  and  "  the  sin  that  so  easily  besets  us,"  must  be 
laid  aside.  It  is  needful  to  fight  "  the  good  fight  of  faith," 
and  then  all  our  spiritual  enemies  are  roused  to  oppose  us. 

That  we  may  see  more  distinctly  the  nature  of  this  war- 
fare, let  us  remember  that  while  an  entire  change  within 
the  soul  has  been  made  by  the  new  birth,  the  old  and  cor- 
rupt nature  of  man  still  remains  ;  and  till  death,  these 
two,  the  flesh  and  the  spirit,  subsist  in  the  same  man  ; 
"  that  which  is  born  of  the  flesh  is  flesh,  and  that  which  is 
born  of  the  Spirit  is  spirit."  We  shall  find  continually  in 
tlie  scriptures,  these  two  parts  co-existing  together  in  the 
convei'ted  man.  One  is  called  "the  old  man,"  and  the 
other  "  the  new  man,"  and  we  are  to  "  put  off  the  old  man 
which  is  corrupt,"  and  "  to  put  on  the  new  man,  which  is 
created  after  God."  Ephes.  v.  22 — 24.  One  is  called  the 
flesh,  and  the  other  the  spirit,  and  we  are  told  "  the  flesh 
lusteth  against  the  spirit,  and  the  spirit  against  the  flesh, 
so  that  ye  cannot  do  the  things  that  ye  would." 

In  these  conflicting  powers  in  our  own  soul,  it  must  1)6 
our  constant  aim  to  "  crucify  the  flesh  with  its  affections 
and  lusts,"  and  to  walk  after  the  Spirit,  and  bring  forth  its 
fruits.  Here  is  the  grand  warfare,  full  of  daily  strife  and 
continual  conflicts,  the  outward  and  the  inward  man  ever 
wrestling  against  each  other.  "  I  delight  in  the  law  of 
God,  after  the  inward  man  ;  but  I  see  another  law  in  my 
members,  (that  is,  in  the  flesh  or  outward  man)  warring 
•against  tlie  law  of  my  mind,  and  bringing  me  into  cap- 
tivity to  the  law  of  sin,  which  is  in  my  members."  Rom. 
vii.  22,  23. 

It  must  not  be  mistaken  for  the  warfare  between  pas- 


290 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


sion  and  reason,  which  we  see  in  unconverted  men  ;  and 
Avhich  is  often  connected  with  pride,  higli  niindedness,  and 
vain-glory.  This  warfare  is  not  merely  against  vices  and 
immoralities,  but  it  is  against  every  thing  that  is  contrary 
to  the  will  of  God,  however  highly  approved  of  men.  "  We 
do  not  war  after  the  flesh  :  for  the  weapons  of  our  warfare 
are  not  carnal,  but  mighty  through  God,  to  the  pulling 
down  of  strong  holds,  casting  down  imaginations  and  every 
high  thing  that  exalteth  itself  against  the  knowledge  of 
God,  and  bringing  into  captivity  every  thought  to  the  obe- 
dience of  Christ."    2  Cor.  x.  3 — 5. 

And,  oh  how  repeated  are  the  defeats  ;  how  humbling 
are  the  falls,  how  slow  is  the  progress,  nay  how  apparently 
retrograde  or  backward  is  the  course  of  this  sharp  and 
painful  war  !  We  lose  our  watchfulness,  we  neglect  prayer, 
Ave  go  into  the  way  of  temptation,  we  give  the  enemy  con- 
tinual advantages  against  us,  and  it  is  owing  to  constant 
miracles  of  mercy  and  grace,  love  and  strength,  that  we 
are  enabled  still  to  stand,  and  still  to  fight,  clothed  with 
that  Christian  armour  which  God  has  provided  for  us. 

The  straggle  between  self-righteousness  and  simple 
FAITH  IN  THE  LoRD  Jesus  Christ  as  our  only  and 
complete  Saviour,  is  a  constant  warfare.  Oh,  how  hard  it 
is  to  renounce  in  every  thing  our  own  righteousness,  to 
submit  wholly  to  God's  I'ighteousness  !  Rom.  ix.  30 — 33. 
The  blessed  apostle  Paul,  to  the  end  of  his  days,  seems  to 
have  been  following  this.  Phil.  iii.  9.  We  are  full  of  pride, 
self-wisdom  and  self-righteousness.  We  cannot  get  out 
of  our  carnal  hearts  all  the  remains  of  fancied  merit  and 
strength,  and  so  lose  the  real  love,  joy,  and  peace  which 
we  might  attain  by  simple  faith  in  God's  free  salvation. 

The  same  struggle  exists  in  following  after  holiness. 
Surrounded  with  sensible  objects,  in  the  midst  of  the  full 
and  mighty  stream  of  this  world,  ever  flowing  in  the  course 
of  "  the  lusts  of  the  flesh,  fulfilling  the  desires  of  the  flesh 
and  of  the  mind  ;"  how  hard  and  persevering  are  the  efibrts 
requisite  to  withstand  that  stream,  and  to  rise,  against  all 
its  force,  to  pure,  holy  and  spiritual  affections,  and  a 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN  CONFLICT. 


291 


heavenly  life  ;  especially  when  so  much  within  constantly 
urges  us  to  carnal  and  self-indulgent  gratifications. 

Prayer  for  aid  m  the  Christian  warfare. 

0  thou  who  art  my  victorious  leader  and  the  very  cap- 
tain of  my  salvation,  succour  me  with  divine  power  ;  may 
I  be  conqueror  through  him  that  loved  me.  Thine  eye  is 
upon  me.  Thy  promise  is  sure  :  Be  thou  faithful  unto 
death  and  I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life.  Help  me  in 
thy  strength  to  overcome  all  ray  enemies  for  thy  name's 
sake.  Amen. 

3.  THE  BENEFITS  OF  THE  WARFARE. 

Painful  as  is  this  wai-fare,  the  benefits  of  it  are  very 
great.  Oh,  how  little  idea  had  we,  before  it  commenced, 
of  the  power  of  our  corruption,  and  of  the  stubbornness  of 
our  sin,  and  of  the  evil  of  its  nature,  and  of  our  infinite 
obligations  to  Clirist  who  has  redeemed  us  from  sin. 

The  long  conflict  which  we  have  to  maintain  with  the 
same  corruptions,  the  repeated  falls  we  get  through  the 
same  sins,  the  resolutions  broken  again  and  again,  the 
plans  formed  deliberately,  and  left  unexecuted  through  our 
self-indulgence,  the  duties  omitted  from  week  to  week 
though  we  are  deeply  sensible  it  was  through  mere  indo- 
lence they  were  not  performed  ;  by  degrees  weaken  and 
destroy  our  self-confidence  and  vain  glory,  and  lay  us  in 
the  dust  of  self-abasement  before  God. 

We  learn  at  length  we  have  no  strength  in  ourselves  ; 
"  we  are  not  sufficient  of  ourselves  to  think  anything  as  of 
ourselves."  Nothing  but  painful  experience  will  efFectually 
teach  us  this.  We  admit  it  in  theory  ;  we  confess  it  with 
our  lips  ;  but  fall  after  fall,  disappointment  after  disap- 
jwintment,  are  requisite  to  bring  us  really  to  feel  that 
without  Christ  we  can  do  nothing. 

Hence,  also,  great  sympathy,  charity,  and  tenderness 
towards  others,  mark  the  experienced  Christian.    His  own 
fail  ures  make  it  impossible  for  him  to  be  severe  and  harsii 
u  2 


292 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


towards  them.  The  apostle  speaks  very  feelingly  to 
spiritual  Clii'istians,  when  he  tells  them,  "  Brethren,  if  a 
man  be  overtaken  in  a  fault,  ye  which  are  spiritual  restore 
such  an  one  in  the  spirit  of  meekness,  considering  thyself, 
lest  thou  also  be  tempted."  Gal.  vi.  1. 

Our  sense  of  the  value  of  christ,  and  our  esteem  for 
him  is  greatly  enlarged.  "  Unto  you  which  believe,  he  is 
precious  ;"  so  precious  that  all  things  else  are  counted 
worthless  and  vile,  compared  with  him.  We  see  that  we 
cannot  have  a  shadow  of  hope,  but  in  his  free  and  complete 
salvation  ;  that  he  is  and  must  be  all  in  all  for  us  ;  that 
without  him  we  are  lost  for  ever  ;  and  he,  he  only  is  "  the 
end  of  the  law  for  rigliteousness  to  every  one  that  be- 
lieveth."  He  too  has  passed  through  all  this  inward  con- 
flict, and  can  fully  sympathise  with  us.  See  the  account 
of  what  passed  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemane  ;  his  soul  ex- 
ceeding sorrowful  unto  death  ;  his  falling  on  his  face  ;  his 
earnest  cries  and  repeated  prayers  ;  his  fearful  agony  ;  his 
sweat  as  it  were  great  drops  of  blood.  And  let  us  learn 
in  all  this  that  he  is  touched  with  the  feeling  of  our  in- 
firmities. 

Hence  we  are  led  also  to  admire  the  grace  of  God  ; 
first  in  sparing  such  sinful  creatures  from  day  to  day  :  "  it 
is  of  the  Lord's  mercies  we  are  not  consumed,  because  his 
compassions  fail  not  ;"  (Lam.  iii.  22.)  he  keeps  us  stiU  in 
the  way  heavenward  ;  he  suffers  us  not  to  fall  back  to 
perdition  ;  he  leaves  us  not  to  our  own  evil  hearts,  but  we 
still  continue  "  thougii  faint,  yet  pursuing"  the  things 
which  make  for  our  peace.  We  may  furtlier  admire  that 
grace  in  all  the  blessings  which  sun-ound  us,  who  are  "  less 
than  the  least  of  all  God's  mercies."  How  constant,  and 
multiplied,  and  rich,  the  blessings  temporal  and  spiritual 
which  he  showers  down  daily  upon  us,  though  so  unwor- 
thy of  any  favour  I  And  yet  more  may  we  admire  the 
grace  of  God,  that  he  should  use  such  weak  and  feeble 
beings  as  his  instruments  of  good  towards  others  :  that 
when  worthy  of  nothing  ourselves,  he  should  not  only 
bless  us,  but  use  us  vessels  of  mercy  to  convey  his  grace 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN  CONFLICT. 


293 


to  others,  and  make  us  blessings  to  our  fellow-creatures, 
notwithstanding  all  our  inconsistencies  and  corruptions. 
"  We  have  this  treasure  in  earthen  vessels,  that  the  ex- 
cellency of  the  power  may  be  of  God,  and  not  of  us." 
2  Cor.  iv.  7. 

Another  benefit  of  this  warfare  is,  that  our  "  affections 
thus  become  set  on  things  above.  Our  course  through 
the  wilderness  is  so  humbling  ;  the  increasing  discovery 
of  the  deceitfulness  and  desperate  wickedness  of  our  hearts 
is  so  painful ;  the  constant  struggle  with  inward  and  out- 
ward evil  is  such  a  daily  death,  (2  Cor.  iv.  11,  12.)  that 
"  though  our  outward  man  perish,  and  the  inward  man  is 
renewed  day  by  day,"  yet  the  severity  of  this  conflict  leads 
us  to  look  at  the  things  which  are  not  seen  and  are  eternal, 
and  to  fix  our  eyes  more  and  more  on  the  prize  of  our  high 
calling.  Thus  we  come  more  to  feel  that  we  are  strangers 
here,  and  that  our  real  home  is  in  heaven  :  we  are  more 
weaned  from  this  world  and  so  made  more  meet  for  the  in- 
heritance of  the  saints  in  light. 

Prayer  to  gain  these  benefits. 

0  Lord,  let  not  all  my  humbling  experience  of  my 
wickedness  and  insufficiency  be  without  real  profit.  May 
I  be  emptied  of  pride  andjhigh-mindedness  ;  may  I  be  more 
tender-hearted  towards  others  ;  may  1  prize  Christ  more, 
and  may  my  affections  be  set  on  things  above,  for  Jesus's 
sake.  Amen. 

4.  THE  VICTORY  OF  THE  SOUL. 

The  victory  in  the  result  is  sure  to  every  believer.  When 
the  apostle  asks,  "  Who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of 
this  death  V  he  answers  with  confidence,  "  I  thank  God, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord."  Sin  shall  not  triumph  : 
it  shall  not  for  ever  tyrannize  over  us,  we  are  under  grace, 
and  true  grace  shall  fully  and  effectually  triumph.  And 
in  the  prospect  we  may  already  say,  "  Thanks  be  to  God 
wliich  giveth  us  the  victory,  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Ciirist." 


294 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


The  very  maintenance  of  gi-ace  in  the  henrt  of  man  is  a 
triumphant  manifestation  of  divine  power  ;  it  is  like  main- 
taining a  real  fire  in  the  midst  of  the  waves  of  the  ocean  ; 
nothing  but  constant  supplies  of  omnipotent  energj-  could 
accomplish  this  work.  And  how.  precious  the  assurance, 
"  He  which  hath  begun  a  good  work  in  you,  will  perform 
it  to  the  day  of  Christ." 

The  MEANS  by  which  the  war  is  maintained  by  us,  to  a 
successful  issue,  are  brought  before  us  in  the  description  of 
the  Christian  armour  ;  that  armour  which  God  has  pro- 
vided for  our  complete  protection  as  well  as  for  the  over- 
throw of  our  spiritual  enemies.  "  Stand,  therefore,  having 
your  loins  girt  about  with  truth,  and  having  on  the  breast- 
plate of  righteousness.  And  your  feet  shod  with  the  pre- 
paration of  the  gospel  of  peace.  Above  all,  taking  the  shield 
of  faith,  wherewith  ye  shall  be  able  to  quench  all  the  fiery 
darts  of  the  wicked.  And  take  the  helmet  of  salvation  and 
the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God.  Pray- 
ing always  with  all  prayer  and  supplication  in  the  Spirit, 
and  watching  thereunto  with  all  perseverance  and  suppli- 
cation for  all  saints."  Eph.  vi.  14 — 18.  Every  part  of  this 
armour  we  need  to  put  on  daily  that  we  may  "  stand 
against  the  wiles  of  the  devnl."  Diligently  then  should  we 
attend  to  our  armour,  that  we  may  not  onl}'  know  what  it 
is,  but  possess  and  wear  all  its  parts,  and  wield  the  effec- 
tive sword  provided  for  us. 

Many  are  the  stages  of  victory  in  tliis  conflict,  the  deep- 
ening humilit}',  the  growing  self-distrust,  the  increasing 
tenderness  towards  others,  the  enlargement  of  love,  the 
greater  simplicity  of  faith,  the  more  entire  self-renuncia- 
tion, the  glorying  in  Christ  alone,  the  larger  consideration 
of  the  spiritual  wants  of  others  ;  these  and  many  other 
such  graces  shew  that  the  carnal  man  is  weakening  and 
dying,  and  the  spiritual  man  is  growing  stronger. 

And  see  how  at  the  close  of  his  spiritual  warfare  a 
valiant  champion  of  the  faith  expresses  himself,  "  The  time 
of  my  departure  is  at  hand  ;  I  have  fought  a  good  fight  ;  I 
have  finished  my  course ;  I  have  kept  the  faith  :  hence- 


ON  THE  CHRISTIAN  CONFLICT. 


296 


forth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteousness, 
which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  Judge,  shall  give  me  at  that 
day  ;  and  not  to  me  only,  but  unto  all  them  also  that  love 
his  appearing."  2  Tim.  iv.  6 — 8.  What  a  victory  is  this, 
and  what  a  glorious  prospect  of  the  completed  triumph  in 
the  heavenly  country,  and  full  reward  from  the  mightiest 
of  all  beings  !  O  may  we  bend  our  strength,  Christian 
reader,  to  follow  him  as  he  followed  Christ. 

But  we  must  go  yet  farther  to  see  the  full  and  completed 
triumph.  The  day  of  the  resurrection  is  the  day  of  final 
victory.  "  When  this  corruptible  shall  put  on  incorrup- 
tion,  and  this  mortal  shall  have  put  on  immortality,  then 
shall  be  brought  to  pass  the  saying  that  is  written,  death 
is  swallowed  up  in  victory."  2  Cor.  xv.  C — 8.  O  how  in- 
conceivably glorious  the  triumph  of  the  victorious  soul  in 
tiiat  day !  tlie  last  of  tlie  promises  of  the  seven  churches 
sets  it  before  us  in  all  its  divine  majesty  and  inexpressible 
glory.  "  To  him  that  overcometh,  will  I  grant  to  sit  with 
me  on  my  tlirone,  even  as  I  also  overcame  and  am  set  down 
with  my  Father  on  his  throne."  Rev.  iii.  21.  Let  us  but 
have  faith  in  the  divine  promises,  and  here  is  an  object  in- 
comparably worthy  of  all  sacrifices,  losses,  sufferings,  and 
labours,  and  one  wliicli  makes  them  all  even  desirable,  to 
attain  this  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory. 

Prayer  for  victory, 

O  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  tlie  mighty  conqueror  of  sin,  death, 
the  grave,  and  hell,  give  me  to  partake  of  thy  glorious 
victories  ;  then  shall  I  be  satisfied  only  when  I  wake  up 
after  thy  likeness,  wearing  thine  image,  thy  name  upon 
my  forehead,  and  being  with  thee  in  thy  glory  for 
ever.  Never  leave  nor  forsake  me  ;  make  me  faithful  unto 
death,  and  at  length  give  me  the  crown  of  life,  for  thy 
name's  sake. 


296 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

SPIRITUAL  JOY. 

1.  The  Preparation  for  this  Joy — 2.  The  chief  source  of  it — 3.  Its  Nature 
— i.  Its  Perfection — 5.  Its  Influence  on  this  Life — 6.  Its  Attainment. 

].  THE  PREPARATIONS  FOR  SPIRITUAL  JOY. 

God  does  not  commonly  impart  joy  to  his  people  without 
having  first  led  them  through  darkness  and  sorrow.  The 
bondage  in  Egypt  precedes  the  deliverance  through  Moses. 
The  encompassing  of  the  mountains,  and  the  opposing 
waves  of  the  sea,  and  the  following  of  Pharaoh's  armies, 
precede  the  triumphant  passage  through  the  Red  Sea,  and 
the  entire  overthrow  of  their  oppressors.  The  forty  years' 
journeying  in  the  wilderness  goes  before  the  victories  that 
secure  the  land  of  Canaan  ,  the  seventy  years'  captivity 
precedes  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord  returning  to  Sion  with 
songs.  The  world's  best  things  come  first,  and  are  soon 
ended  ;  God's  best  things  come  last,  and  endure  for  ever. 

What,  then,  ordinarily  precedes  spiritual  joy  ?  We 
have  seen  in  former  chapters,  the  holiness  of  the  believer 
and  his  afflictions  ;  we  have  seen  his  convictions  of  sin  and 
his  spiritual  warfare  ;  and  though  joy  mingles  with  all, 
and  goes  before  them  even  as  well  as  follows  them,  (for  the 
Holy  Ghost  distributes  to  every  one  at  such  times,  and  in 
such  measures,  as  he  in  his  infinite  wisdom  and  love 
pleases)  yet  ordinarily  times  of  darkness,  and  tears,  and 
faith,  and  waiting,  precede  the  times  of  joy. 


SPIRITUAL  JOY. 


297 


Times  of  darkness,  we  all  have  in  this  world.  There  is 
a  natural  darkness  in  which  men  in  an  unconverted  state 
are  living,  full  of  ignorance  and  full  of  error  (John  i.  5), 
from  which  they  are  delivered  by  the  death  of  Christ,  and 
out  of  which  they  are  "  translated  into  the  kingdom  of 
God's  dear  Son."  Col.  i.  13.  And  besides  this,  there  is  a 
season  of  temptation  and  trial,  which  our  Saviour  calls  the 
hour  of  wicked  men  and  "  the  power  of  darkness."  Luke 
xxii.  53.  Thus  his  agony  and  cross  precede  his  resurrec- 
tion and  ascension.  A  person  really  fearing  God  and 
obeying  tl^e  voice  of  his  servant,  may  be  one  "  that  walketh 
in  darkness  and  hath  no  light."  The  Jews,  just  before  our 
Saviour  came,  were  in  this  state.  Of  them  it  is  said,  "  The 
people  which  sat  in  darkness  saw  great  light,  and  to  them 
which  sat  in  the  region  and  shadow  of  death  light  is  sprung 
up."  Matt.  iv.  16.  Thus  a  time  of  great  darkness  of  soul, 
as  it  precedes,  so  it  leads  us  to  value  light.  The  shipwreck 
increases  the  joy  of  safety  and  deliverance.  The  escape 
from  fire  makes  security  doubly  precious.  When  the 
jailor  was  in  despair,  the  joyful  sound,  "  Believe  on  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved,"  first  reached 
his  heart.  Be  not  then  discouraged  by  present  darkness, 
but  "  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and  stay  upon  your 
God."  Remember,  the  morning  succeeds  the  darkest 
night. 

Times  of  sorrow  also  are  preparatory  for  times  of  joy. 
Thus  it  is  foretold  :  "  They  that  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in 
joy.  He  that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing  precious 
seed,  shall  doubtless  come  again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  his 
sheaves  with  him."  Our  Saviour  has  numbered  therefore 
the  mourners  among  the  happy  :  "  Blessed  are  they  that 
mourn,  for  they  shall  be  comforted."  Matt.  v.  4.  A  real 
conviction  of  our  sinfulness  and  guilt,  and  a  real  view  of 
our  vileness  and  ingratitude,  David  compares  to  nothing 
less  than  "  broken  bones,"  (Psalm  li.  1,  8),  but  he  prays 
that  those  bones  may  yet  rejoice.  A  lively  sense  of  our 
danger  of  eternal  condemnation  and  everlasting  wrath, 
justly  merited  by  our  sins,  and  our  own  unutterable  folly 


298 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


and  wickedness  in  disregarding  this  danger,  these  things  pre- 
pare our  hearts  to  welcome  witli  joy  and  gratitude  the  good 
tidings  of  the  salvation  of  Christ.  When  we  are  empty  of 
self,  and  see  all  our  need  and  spiritual  wickedness,  then 
Christ  and  his  riches  and  grace  are  seasonable,  surprising 
and  suitable,  and  affect  the  heart  with  its  deepest  emo- 
tions of  gladness  and  thankfulness  :  "  Ye  shall  be  sor- 
rowful, but  your  sorrow  shall  be  turned  into  joy."  John 
xvi.  20. 

Times  of  faith  necessarily  then  also  precede  times  of 
joy.  Though  the  gospel  be  "  good  tidings  of  great  joy  to 
all  people,"  yet  till  the  gospel  be  known  and  believed,  it 
cannot  give  us  personal  joy.  We  fell  by  unbelief  into 
darkness  and  misery  ;  we  rise  by  faith  into  light  and  hap- 
piness. After  the  apostle  had  recited  the  promises  of 
Christ's  reigning  over  the  Gentiles,  and  their  trusting  in 
him,  he  directly  prays,  "  Now  the  God  of  hope  fill  you 
with  all  joy  and  peace  in  belie\-ing."  Romans  xv.  13.  The 
reason  why  there  is  little  joy  is,  that  there  is  little  faith. 
The  Bible  is  so  rich  a  treasury  of  joyful  truths,  it  abounds 
so  in  precious  promises  and  full  statements  of  God's 
loving-kindnoss,  it  opens  such  boundless  scenes  of  bless- 
edness and  glory  to  God's  people,  that  it  is  only  love  of  sin 
and  unbelief  that  can  keep  us  from  true  peace  and  happi- 
ness. David  says,  "  Our  heart  shall  rejoice  in  him,  be- 
cause we  have  trusted  in  his  holj"  name."  Psalm  xxxiii.  21. 

Yet  we  may  have  to  wait  for  a  season.  This  often 
goes  before  enjoyment :  as  David  says,  "  I  waited  pa- 
tiently" for  the  Lord,  before  he  says,  "  And  he  hath  put  a 
new  song  in  my  mouth,  even  praise  to  our  God."  Psalm  xl. 
1,  3.  Simeon  waited  for  the  consolation  of  Israel,  before 
he  held  the  infant  Saviour  in  his  arms,  and  could  say, 
"  Lord,  now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace." 
Luke  ii.  2.5.  That  we  may  value  blessings  the  more  when 
they  are  given,  and  know  better  the  real  Giver,  this  season 
of  waiting  is  appointed,  and  how  blessed  the  result  of  pa- 
tient waiting ;  "  For  since  the  beginning  of  the  world  men 
have  not  heard,  nor  perceived  by  the  ear,  neither  hath  the 


SPIRITUAL  JOT. 


299 


eye  seen,  0  God,  beside  thee,  what  he  hath  prepared  for 
him  that  waiteth  for  him."  Isaiah  Ixiv.  4. 

Once  more,  the  precious  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  is 
the  most  needful  of  all  other  gifts  to  fill  us  with  joy.  He 
can  dispense  with  every  other  preparation,  and  at  once 
pour  into  our  hearts  a  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory  : 
"  Joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost  "  is  an  essential  part  of  the  king- 
dom of  God.  Rom.  xiv.  17.  The  Saviour  gives  "  the  oil 
of  joy  for  mourning."  Isaiah  Ixi.  3.  The  churches  having 
rest,  and  "  walking  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  in  the  comfort 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  were  multiplied,"  Acts  viii.  31.  When 
the  disciples  are  "  filled  with  joy,"  it  is  an  evidence  that 
they  are  "  tilled  with  the  Holy  Ghost."  Acts  xiii.  52. 
1  Thess.  i.  7.  Would  we  then  have  much  spiritual  joy, 
we  must  abound  much  in  prayer  for  this  special  gift  of 
God,  which  the  Saviour  so  ft-eely  bestows  on  them  that  ask. 
Johniv.  10. 

Meditation. 

Let  me  have  large  expectations  from  the  love  of  my  God, 
and  notwithstanding  all  present  darkness  and  gloom,  hope 
even  against  hope  that  there  may  yet  be  light,  and  joy  and 
peace  to  my  soul.  That  I  may  gain  these  blessings,  may  I 
really  believe  the  grace  which  Jesus  Christ  has  brought, 
and  wait  on  God,  and  receive  largely  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  God's  word  cannot  fail,  let  me  rest  upon  it  now 
and  evermore. 

2.  the  chief  source  of  spiritual  joy. 

The  apostle  in  the  plain  command  shews  us  both  the 
duty  and  the  source  of  constant  spiritual  joy  :  "  Rejoice  in 
the  Lord  always,  and  again  I  say,  rejoice."  Phil.  iv.  4. 

Christ  Jesus,  our  Lord,  is  our  joy  ;  or  in  the  emphatic 
language  of  David,  "  God,  my  exceeding  joy."  Psalin  xliii. 
4.  The  true  joy  of  the  immortal  soul,  little  as  the  world 
may  think  it  to  be  so,  and  much  as  men  may  scorn  it,  is 
only  to  be  found  in  communion  with  our  risen  Lord  and 


300 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Saviour.  The  world  has  committed  two  destructive  evils, 
they  have  "  forsaken  "  this  "  fountain  of  living  waters," 
and  "  they  have  hewn  out  broken  cisterns  that  can  hold 
no  water." 

To  explore  all  the  riches  of  Christ  and  the  unfathomable 
ocean  of  blessedness  in  him,  will  be  our  happy  employment 
through  eternity.  It  is  therefore  but  a  very  small  part  that 
we  can  now  attain,  but  that  little  is  infinitely  more  than 
all  that  this  world  can  give. 

If  LOVE  is  one  spring  of  joy,  think  of  the  unequalled  love 
of  Jesus  !  What  thoughts  of  love  he  had  in  our  creation 
and  recovery,  from  everlasting,  before  the  earth  was  formed! 
He  describes  himself  as  "  rejoicing  in  the  habitable  parts  of 
the  earth,  and  his  delights  were  with  the  sons  of  men." 
Proverbs  viii.  31.  When  he  came  in  our  nature,  what 
grace  was  manifested  '  He  left  a  scene  of  glory  unutter- 
able, for  a  scene  and  course  of  humiliation  which  never  can 
be  paralleled  ;  for  where  else  can  such  dignity  stoop  to 
such  abasement  ?  The  Father  loved  the  world  and  gave 
his  Son.  The  Son  loved  our  fallen  race,  and  gave  himself 
for  us.  See  him  incarnate  in  our  nature,  a  child,  a  youth, 
subject  to  earthly  parents,  in  poverty,  in  sorrow,  in  temp- 
tation, in  agony,  dying,  dying  on  the  cross,  praying  for 
his  murderers  !  0  love  beyond  comparison !  Let  it 
gladden  our  hearts.  For  yet  he  is  the  same.  Ascended 
and  at  the  right  hand  of  his  Father,  his  love  has  never 
varied.  He  died  for  his  enemies  ;  he  lives  for  his  ene- 
mies ;  "  the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever."  Soon, 
very  soon  now,  he  will  return  in  personal  glory  to  reward 
all  his  faithful  followers,  and  to  make  them  joint  heirs  in 
his  glory. 

If  RELATIONSHIP  is  a  soui'ce  of  joy,  O  what  gracious  re- 
lations he  sustains  to  those  who  do  the  will  of  God.  He  is 
the  bridegroom,  we  are  the  bride  :  he  is  the  husband  who 
loved  the  church,  and  gave  himself  for  it,  and  nourishes 
and  clierislies  it.  He  is  tbe  everlasting  Father  who  brings 
his  sons  to  glory  ;  he  is  the  elder  brother,  who  loves  all  his 
brethren  ;  he  is  the  beloved  friend  who  keeps  nothing  back 


SPIRITUAL  JOY. 


301 


from  us.  His  disciples  are  to  him  mother  and  bretliren  ; 
for  he  says,  "  whosoever  shall  do  the  will  of  my  Father, 
which  is  in  heaven,  the  same  is  my  brother  and  sister  and 
mother."  Matt.  xii.  50.  Christ  "  is  all  in  all."  And  if 
deprived  of  all  other  relations,  you  attain  this  one  relation- 
ship, you  find  an  hundredfold  more  even  in  this  time, 
"  brethren  and  sisters  and  mothers  and  children."  Mark 
X.  30. 

If  VARIETY  OF  GOOD  Can  be  a  source  of  joy,  this  you 
have  in  Christ  Jesus  beyond  all  comparison.  He  has  un- 
searchable riches.  Prov.  viii.  18.  Eccles.  iii.  8.  Pleasures 
without  end.  Psalm  xvi.  11.  Beauty  without  defect. 
Psalm  xlv.  2.  Eloquence  to  instruct  and  comfort.  Isaiah 
1.  4.  Cant.  V.  16.  Graces  more  precious  than  perfumes. 
Cant.  i.  3  ;  iii.  6.  Knowledge  of  infinite  excellence.  Phil, 
iii.  8.  Glory  inconceivable.  Psalm  xxiv.  John  xvii.  24. 
Wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification,  redemption,  every 
good,  is  in  Clirist. 

If  FULNESS  OF  GOOD  cau  make  us  joyful,  this  there  is  in 
Christ  for  us  :  for  "  the  earth  is  the  Lord's  and  the  fulness 
thereof,  the  round  world,  and  they  that  dwell  therein." 
Ps.  xxiv.  1.  It  has  "  pleased  the  Father  that  in  him  should 
all  fulness  dwell."  Col.  i.  19.  There  is  joy  in  him,  and  it 
is  "  fulness  of  joy."  Psalm  xvi.  11.  John  xvi.  22.  There 
is  grace  in  him,  and  it  is  "  fulness  of  grace."  John  i.  16. 
He  is  ever  present.  Matt,  xxviii.  20.  He  is  "altogether 
lovely,"  and  the  chief  treasure.  All  other  good  things  are 
but  pictures  and  emblems,  of  which  he  is  the  real  sub- 
stance. He  only  can  say,  I  am  the  true  vine.  I  am  the 
good  shepherd.  I  am  the  bread  of  life.  The  sun,  the  bright 
and  morning  star  ;  the  tree  of  life,  the  way,  and  the  light. 
Every  thing  that  is  really  valuable  has  a  fuller  value  as 
leading  us  to  and  showing  us  something  of  the  fulness  of 
good  in  Christ  Jesus. 

The  WHOLE  C0.MPANY  OF  SAINTS  with  one  voice  acknow- 
ledge the  joy  to  be  found  in  Christ  Jesus.  "Abraham 
rejoiced  to  see  my  day,"  says  Christ,  "  and  he  saw  it  and 
was  glad."    John  viii.  5.    David,  in  the  full  experience  of 


302 


CHRISTIAX  TRUTH 


it,  calls  on  all  others  to  partake  of  it.  0  be  joyful  in  the 
Lord,  all  ye  lands."  Psalm  c.  1.  Mary,  the  virgin,  so 
highly  favoured  among  women,  finds  this  her  chief  joy. 
"  My  soul  doth  magnify  the  Lord,  and  my  spirit  hath 
rejoiced  in  God  my  Saviour."  Luke  i.  4G,  47.  The  eunuch 
of  Queen  Candace,  directed  to  Christ  and  believing  in  him, 
goes  on  "  his  way  rejoicing."  Acts  viii.  40.  When  the 
people  of  Samaria  had  Christ  preached  unto  them,  "  there 
was  great  joy  in  that  city."  Acts  viii.  8.  Patriarchs, 
prophets,  kings,  apostles,  and  martyrs,  in  every  age,  amidst 
all  their  sufferings,  find  their  joy  in  Christ  :  bearing  up 
their  souls  and  leading  them  to  take  all  their  losses  and 
temptations  as  fresh  occasions  of  thanksgiving  and  joyful- 
ness,  being  endured  for  his  sake. 

Here,  then,  here  only  is  the  chief  source  of  joy. 

Prayer  to  Inow  Christ. 

0  thou  divine  Redeemer,  who  hast  said,  no  man  knoweth 
who  the  Son  is  but  the  Father ;  though  the  full  riches  of 
thy  grace  and  glory  be  unfathomable  and  unsearchable, 
yet  give  unto  me  grace  to  know  something  of  that  love 
which  passeth  knowledge,  and  to  gTow  and  increase  in  this 
knowledge  day  by  day.  May  it  be  given  unto  me  of  the 
Father  to  be  drawn  to  thee,  to  come  unto  thee,  and  see 
thee  as  thou  art,  till  that  day  of  bliss  amve,  when  I  shall 
know  even  as  also  I  am  known,  and  evermore  be  with  thee. 
Amen. 

3.  THE  NATURE  OF  TKUE  JOY. 

How  universally,  how  eagerly,  and  how  incessantly  men 
pursue  shadowy  joys,  and  think  they  are  following  a 
reality  !  there  is  indeed  a  "  shew  of  wisdom  "  and  good  in 
them  ;  and  if  followed,  used,  and  enjoyed  only  according 
to  the  will  of  God  and  as  liis  blessings,  we  may  have  real 
comfort  in  them  ;  for  "  God  has  given  us  all  things  richly 
to  enjoy."  But  these  joys  made  the  rest  of  the  soul,  and 
the  chief  end  of  pursuit,  mar  the  whole,  and  deprive  us  of 


SPIRITUAL  JOY. 


.303 


the  very  refreshment  and  comfort  which  might  otherwise 
be  communicated  to  us  by  them. 

Seek  not,  then,  Christian  reader,  your  joy  in  wealth  and 
greatness, — it  is  not  there ;  but  cares,  anxieties,  and  mortifi- 
cations ai'e  there.  Seek  it  not  in  luxuries  and  sensual 
pleasures, — real  joy  is  not  thej-e,  but  emptiness  and  disgust 
and  weariness  are  there.  Seek  it  not  even  in  varied  know- 
ledge, and  those  earthly  attainments  which  so  much  distin- 
guish one  man  from  another  ;  valuable  as  these  are  in  their 
place  and  measure,  and  greatly  as  they  may  increase  our 
usefulness,  if  they  are  rested  in  as  the  great  object  of  pur- 
suit, the  wisest  of  men  has  told  us  that  "  vanity  and  vexa- 
tion of  spirit "  are  inscribed  on  all.  Seek  it  not  even  mainly 
in  the  bosom  of  your  family  ;  though  it  be  the  highest  and 
most  innocent  earthly  bliss,  it  must  not  be  idolized. 

And  if  it  be  not  in  these  things  which  form  the  chief 
objects  of  pursuit  in  the  more  respectable  classes  of  society  ; 
what  shall  we  say  of  tho.se  low  and  wretched  pursuits  of 
both  higher  and  lower  classes  ;  those  brutish  lusts  in  which 
the  wicked  imagine  joy  ;  gluttony  and  drunkenness,  licen- 
tiousness, and  gambling,  and  all  those  vain  pleasures  with 
which  this  world  deludes  its  followers,  under  the  outward 
shew  of  happiness.  We  can  only  saj^  they  are  "  led  captive 
by  Satan  at  his  will,"  and  must  be  so,  till  they  look  to  the 
only  true  deliverer  of  the  soul,  the  Lord  Jesus  Ciirist. 

Yes,  even  fur  the  worst,  in  this  day  of  grace,  joy  is  pro- 
vided, if  they  will  seek  it  in  God's  way.  Let  me  endeavour 
to  set  it  forth  in  its  real  nature. 

Joy  is  gladness  of  heart  in  security  against  evil  things, 
and  the  possession  of  good  things.  It  is  the  happiness  of 
the  soul  in  the  attainment  of  real,  solid,  and  enduring 
good.  And  this,  Christian  reader,  is  provided  for  you  in 
the  gospel  of  Christ.  The  fullest  joy  that  a  human  bosom 
can  contain  is  to  be  found  in  communion  with  God,  through 
.Jesus  Christ. 

What  are  the  characters  of  this  joy.  It  is  the  Jov  of 
SALVATION.  How  often  do  the  .scriptures  set  it  before  us 
in  this  light,"  I  will  rejoice  in  thy  salvation."  Psalm  ix.  14 ; 


304 


CHRISTIAN  TBCTH  : 


xiii.  5  ;  xx.  5  ;  xxi.  1 .  &c.  And  how  great  that  salvation  is 
■will  never  be  known  till  it  be  declared  in  the  day  of  the 
judgment,  and  its  loss  seen  in  the  eternal  woe  of  the  ■nicked, 
and  its  gain  seen  in  the  eternal  blessedness  of  the  righteous. 
But  the  reality  of  the  salvation  is  a  present  blessing.  "  By 
grace  ye  are  saved."  Prayers  of  this  kind  are  common  in 
the  Psalms  :  "  0  ■visit  me  with  thy  salvation  ;  say  unto 
my  soul,  I  am  thy  salvation."  What  greater  joy,  then, 
can  there  be  than  to  know  that  we  are  among  the  saved 
ones,  "  heirs  of  God,  and  joint  heirs  with  Christ  I  "'  This 
joy  Christ  gives  unto  us.  !May  we  then  with  joy  draw 
"  water  out  of  the  wells  of  salvation  !  "    Isaiah  xii.  3. 

It  is  the  JOY  OF  HOLINESS.  Its  chief  employ  being  com- 
munion ■with  God  through  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  it  is 
eminently  a  holy  joy.  "  We  joy  in  God  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ."'  Rom.  v.  11.  Thus  Da'vid  says,  "Rejoice 
in  the  Lord,  ye  righteous,  and  give  thanks  at  the  remem- 
brance of  his  holiness."  Psalm  xcvii.  12.  It  is,  indeed, 
a  remarkable  effect  of  di^vine  power  and  love  that  a  sinful 
creature  can  be  so  changed  as  to  rejoice  in  God's  holiness, 
which  is  most  of  aU  contrary  to  sin.  This  marvellous 
change  the  grace  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus  does  truly  accom- 
plish. 

It  is  the  JOT  OF  GLOET.  Poor  and  mean  are  the  joys  of 
this  world,  even  when  they  are  not  sensual  and  vicious. 
Oh  the  little  things  that  raise  our  animal  spirits  and  gladden 
our  carnal  hearts  I  But  spiritual  joy  takes  large  and  com- 
prehensive views,  and  goes  at  once  to  the  highest  objects  of 
faith  and  hope.  God  and  his  Christ ;  "  whom  having  not 
seen  we  love,  and  in  whom,  though  now  we  see  him  not, 
yet  believins,  we  rejoice  ■with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of 
glory."  1  Peter  i.  8.  It  looks  above  and  sees  our  Father 
in  heaven  reconciled  and  full  of  love,  and  "  in  the  spirit  of 
adoption  cries,  Abba,  Father,"  It  looks  backwards  and 
"  rejoices  because  our  names  are  written  in  heaven,"  (Luke 
X.  20.)  in  the  book  of  life,  of  the  Lamb  slain  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world."  Rev.  xiii.  8.  It  looks  around 
and  sees  '-'all  things  working  together  for  our  good."  Rom. 


SPIRITUAL  JOT. 


305 


viii.  28.  It  looks  forward  and  sees  the  returning  Bride- 
groom, the  coming  King,  his  glorious  kingdom,  and  his 
rich  rewards,  and  rejoices  •'  in  the  hope  of  the  glory  of 
God."    Rom.  V.  1. 

It  is  a  joy  of  God's  producing  in  the  heart.  Hence 
David  prays  so  earnestly,  "  Make  me  to  hear  of  joy  and 
gladness,  that  the  bones  which  thou  hast  broken  may  rejoice. 
Restore  unto  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation."  Psalm  li,  8, 12. 
And  Elihu  asks,  "  When  he  giveth  quietness,  who  then  can 
make  trouble  ?  and  when  he  hideth  his  face,  who  then  can 
behold  him  1  "  Job  xxxiv.  29.  This  eminently  distin- 
guishes it  from  all  mere  earthly  joys  and  comforts.  The 
most  precious  doctrines  of  the  gospel  may  be  preached  in 
vain,  or  with  only  a  temporary  joy  ;  (Luke  viii.  13.)  till 
the  Holy  Ghost  is  imparted,  there  is  no  true  spiritual  joy. 
"  Joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,"  is  one  of  the  peculiar  blessings 
of  "the  kingdom  of  God,"  (Rom.  xiv.  17.)  and  it  is  a  spe- 
cial cause  of  thankfulness  when  any  receive  "  the  word 
with  joy  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  1  Thess.  i.  6.  Christian 
reader,  seek  for  that  heavenly  joy,  which  is  a  divine  gift  ;  a 
gift  freely  promised  under  the  gospel,  (Isaiah  xii.  3.)  and 
to  be  obtained  by  every  true  believer.    Romans  xv.  13. 

Prayer  for  Christian  Joy. 

0  thou  only  fountain  of  joy  and  gladness,  say  unto  my 
soul,  I  am  thy  salvation  ;  make  me  to  hear  of  joy  and 
gladness,  and  enable  me  so  to  love  Christ  whom  I  have  not 
seen,  and  so  believe  in  him,  that  I  may  always  rejoice  in 
him,  for  his  name's  sake.  Amen. 

4.  its  perfection. 

Always  rejoicing  in  our  happy  duty  as  Christians,  yet 
in  this  state  of  faith,  and  trial,  and  waiting  ;  in  this  time 
of  Christ's  absence  and  our  conflict  and  sinfulness,  there 
are  constantly  mingled  with  it  seasons  of  sorrow  and  weep- 
ing ;  and  the  Christian  lias  more  of  these  now  than  the 
■world  has.    Our  Lord  says,  "  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto 


306 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


you,  that  ye  shall  weep  and  lament,  but  the  world  shall 
rejoice."    John  xvi.  20. 

But  though  it  be  so  here,  and  it  has  to  be  said  of  the  most 
devoted  servants  of  the  Lord,  that  their  mingled  state  is 
"  as  sorrowful  yet  always  rejoicing,  (2  Cor.  vi.  10.)  all  this 
is  transient.  How  beautifully  our  Lord,  comparing  the 
present  sorrow  and  future  joy  to  the  sorrow  and  joy  at  the 
birth  of  a  child,  adds,  "  Ye  now,  therefore,  have  sorrow, 
but  I  will  see  you  again,  and  your  heart  shall  rejoice,  and 
your  joy  no  man  taketh  from  you  !  "    John  xvi.  22. 

Unmingled  joy  and  everlasting  bliss  is  before  the  mourn- 
ing Christian  in  the  swiftly  approaching  day  of  Christ, 
and,  in  the  meantime,  the  purest  of  joys  to  be  had  here 
below,  are  also  his  present  portion. 

We  will  notice  first  the  perfection  of  joy  on  earth. 
When  David  is  speaking  of  the  doubtfulness  of  good  to  be 
had  here  below,  he  says,  "  There  be  many  that  say.  Who 
will  shew  us  any  good  ?  "  he  answers  the  question  thus  : 
"  Lord,  lift  thou  up  the  light  of  thy  countenance  upon  us. 
Thou  hast  put  gladness  in  my  heart."  Psalm  iv.  6,  7-  So 
we  tind  him  in  the  42nd  and  43rd  Psalm  eagerly  thirsting 
after  God  and  the  help  of  his  countenance,  and  longing  to 
go  to  God,  his  "  exceeding  joy."  In  the  felt  "  presence" 
of  God  "  is  fulness  of  joy."  Psalm  xvi.  11.  In  commu- 
nion with  him,  in  the  sweet  sense  of  bis  love,  and  the  out- 
pouring of  the  whole  heart  before  him,  with  the  assurance 
that  he  hears  us,  and  cares  for  us,  and  sympathizes  with 
us,  and  will  never  leave  us  nor  forsake  us, — in  such  experi- 
ence is  the  full  joy  on  earth  of  the  immortal  soul.  When 
the  promise  of  Christ  is  fulfilled  in  our  happy  experience, 
"  I  will  not  leave  you  comfortless,  I  will  come  to  you," 
(John  xiv.  18.)  and  we  can  say,  "  Truly  our  fellowship  is 
Avith  tlie  Father  and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,"  and  long 
that  others  may  partake  of  it,  "  That  their  joy  may  be  full.  ' 
1  John  i.  3,  4.  In  these  feelings  is  there  the  perfection  of 
joy  on  earth  ;  a  pure,  holy,  loving,  gracious,  expansive 
joy,  full  of  blessing  to  ourselves  and  to  others. 

But  this  joy  not  being  the  constant  experience  of  the 


SPIRITUAL  JOY. 


307 


Christian,  and  being  continually  interrupted  by  his  cor- 
ruptions and  sinfulness,  and  the  afflictions  whicli  are  need- 
ful for  his  soul's  final  prosperity,  we  must  look  farther  for 
really  perfect  joy,  even  to  the  day  of  the  resurrection  and 
the  return  of  Christ  in  glory. 

That  joy  is  unmingleu  :  no  troubled  waters  of  sorrow 
defile  it.  "  God  himself  shall  be  with  them,  and  be  their 
God,  and  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes.  And 
there  shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor  crying, 
neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain,  for  the  former  things 
are  passed  away — there  shall  be  no  night  there."  Rev. 
xxi.  3,  4  ;  xxii.  3,  .5.  The  thing  which  men  are  thii'sting 
so  for  here,  will  be  fully  possessed  by  the  righteous  there. 
There  will  be  no  void  of  heart,  in  the  midst  of  these  joys, 
by  something  still  needful  to  complete  them.  Every  vessel 
of  mercy  will  be  completely  full  and  overflowing,  so  that 
in  the  highest  sense  each  one  can  say,  "  My  cup  runneth 
over." 

It  is  the  JOY  OF  THE  Lord  Christ.  This  is  eminently 
its  perfection.  He  is  quickly  coming  "  to  be  glorified  in 
his  saints,  and  to  be  admired  in  all  them  that  believe." 
2  Thess.  i.  10.  There  are  yet  to  be  revealed  "  the  riches  of 
the  glory  of  his  inheritance  in  the  saints."  Ephes.  i.  18. 
Oh  the  fulness  of  that  love,  of  that  love  of  Christ,  which 
finds  its  joy  and  glory  in  the  happiness  of  others  !  this  is 
the  mind  of  Christ  !  And  we  shall  partake  of  his  joy. 
With  what  exquisite  tenderness  and  loving-kindness  does 
our  Lord  thus  describe  our  future  happiness,  saying  at  the 
last  day  to  the  righteous,  "  Well  done,  thou  good  and  faith- 
ful servant,  thou  hast  been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will 
make  thee  ruler  over  many  things,  enter  thou  into  the  joy 
of  thy  Lord."  Matt.  xxv.  21,  23.  He  twice  repeats  it  as 
if  he  loved  to  dwell  upon  it.  His  joy  in  this  is  called  "  ex- 
ceeding joy."  Jude  24.  We  may  be  sure  that  his  joy  is 
incalculably  great  ;  and  to  enter  into  that  joy  and  share 
it  fully — what  must  it  be  !  Christian  reader,  do  not  our 
hearts  almost  sicken  with  desire  to  partake  of  it  ?  Let  us 
be  faithful,  then,  unto  death. 

X  2 


308 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Once  more,  it  is  everlasting  joy.  Here  is  its  crown- 
ing blessedness.  "  Him  that  overcometh  will  1  make  a 
pillar  in  the  temple  of  my  God,  and  he  shall  go  no  more 
out."  Rev.  iii.  12.  All  the  joy  and  glory  of  that  heavenly 
kingdom  are  perpetual  and  enduring.  "  The  Lord  shall 
be  unto  thee  an  everlasting  light,  and  thy  God  thy  glory  ;" 
(Isaiah  Ix.  ][>.  "  everlasting  joy  shall  be  unto  them." 
Isaiah  Ixi.  7.  As  it  is  a  far  more  exceeding,  so  it  is  an 
"  eternal  weight  of  glory  ;  " — as  it  is  an  house  not  made 
with  hands,  so  it  is  "  eternal  in  the  heavens."  2  Cor.  iv. 
17  ;  V.  1. 

Imagine,  then,  for  a  moment,  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord, 
redeemed  at  length  from  the  power  of  the  grave,  clothed  in 
the  spiritual,  and  glorious,  and  incorruptible  bodies  of  the 
resarrection,  shining  as  the  sun,  rising  from  the  dust  of  the 
earth,  caught  up  by  Almighty  power  and  love,  to  meet 
Jesus,  now  in  like  manner  returning  from  the  heavenly 
mansions  for  them  :  imagine  them  going  to  their  full  re- 
ward ;  they  "  came  to  Zion  with  songs  and  everlasting  joy 
upon  their  heads  ;  they  obtain  joy  and  gladness  ;  sorrow 
and  sighing  flee  away."  Oh  the  gatherings  together  from 
every  land  of  all  the  excellent  of  the  earth  in  that  glorious 
day  !  Oh  the  unutterable  joys  of  being  ever  with  the. 
Lord  !    This  is  the  perfection  of  joy. 

And  what  iuterminglings  of  joy  will  heighten  and  en- 
large our  joy  then  !  The  spiritual  Father  rejoices  in  seeing 
there  his  spiritual  children,  and  they  in  seeing  him.  There 
is  the  joy  of  love  in  the  successful  result  of  all  its  labours. 
There  is  the  joy  of  benevolence  in  seeing  others  happy  for 
ever  ;  there  is  the  joy  of  holiness  in  seeing  others  delivered 
from  all  sin  ;  there  is  the  joy  of  gratitude  in  witnessing 
our  benefactors  honoured  of  God  for  their  kindness  to  us. 
But  especially  do  the  scriptures  set  forth  those  to  whom 
we  have  been  spiritually  blessed  as  our  "  joy  and  crown  " 
in  that  day.  Phil.  ii.  16—18  ;  iv.  1.  2  Cor.  i.  14.  1  Thess. 
ii.  19,  20.  The  people  of  Christ  are  "  the  jewels"  of  Christ. 
Mai.  iii.  17.  In  short,  "  they  that  be  wise  shall  shine  as 
the  brightness  of  the  firmament,  and  they  that  turn  many 


SPIRITUAL  JOY. 


309 


to  righteousness  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever."  Dan.  xii. 
3.  Jaines  v.  20. 

Meditation.  • 

Why  then  is  my  soul  cleaving  to  the  dust  amidst  such 
prospects  and  such  hopes  as  are  thus  set  before  me  ?  Why 
art  thou  cast  down,  0  my  soul  ?  let  me  hope  in  God  ;  let 
me  look  not  at  the  things  which  are  seen,  but  at  the  things 
v?hich  are  not  seen  ;  and  setting  my  affections  upon  them, 
may  I  have  my  conversation  in  heaven,  and  daily  be  pre- 
pai-ing  for  its  everlasting  joys. 

5.  ITS  INFLUENCE  ON  THE  LIFE. 

The  effects  of  this  joy  (whether  it  be  now  possessed  in 
foretaste  or  fully  hoped  for  in  sweet  assurance)  on  our 
daily  life,  spirit,  and  conversation,  are  most  precious  and 
valuable. 

The  joy  given  in  conversion  is  peculiarly  important  for 
DECISION,  to  enable  the  new  convert  to  break  through  all 
his  former  sinful  courses,  to  withstand  the  scoffs  and  jeers 
of  all  his  former  sinful  companions,  and  to  strengthen  him 
to  confess  his  Saviour  before  men.  When  the  ship,  having 
been  long  fastened  by  the  ice,  has  to  break  through  all  the 
many  entanglements  and  mountains  of  ice  in  the  frozen 
ocean,  and  thus  escape  from  all  the  dangers  of  being  locked 
up  in  those  unhappy  regions,  it  needs  the  favouring  breeze 
and  the  warming  sun,  and,  with  all  advantages,  perhaps 
only  just  escapes  as  Providence,  from  time  to  time,  makes 
the  necessary  outlets  for  it.  So  it  is  with  the  soul  coming 
out  of  this  icy  miserable  world  into  the  warmer  and  hap- 
pier climes  of  the  gospel.  Without  Christian  joy  it  would 
still  be  fastened  in  by  the  cold  bands  that  formerly  detained 
it,  as  it  were  imprisoned.  "  The  great  joy  "  in  Samaria, 
(Acts  viii.  8.)  leads  on  the  multitudes  of  men  and  women 
to  baptism,  (v.  12.)  The  glad  reception  of  the  word  leads 
on  to  the  special  holiness  and  devotedness  of  the  first  Chris- 
tians.   Acts  ii.  41 — 47. 


310 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


The  joy  we  have  in  the  Lord  gives  strength  for  duty. 
When  the  people  were  mourning  and  weeping  on  hearing 
the  words  of  the  law,  Nehemiah,  and  Ezra,  and  the  priests 
restrained  them,  leading  them  rather  to  joy  and  active 
works  of  love.  "  Go  j'our  way,  eat  the  fat,  and  drink  the 
sweet,  and  send  portions  unto  them  for  whom  nothing  is 
prepared,  for  this  day  is  holy  unto  our  Lord  ;  neither  be 
ye  sorry,  for  the  joy  of  the  Lord  is  your  strength."  Neh. 
viii.  10.  And  so  their  sorrow  was  turned  into  joy  and 
love  ;  for  joy  is,  of  all  affections,  specially  communicative, 
and  overflo\ving  of  itself  to  others. 

This  joy  strengthens  us  for  the  blessed  but  more  difficult 
duties  of  the  Christian  life.  It  makes  all  our  paths  cheer- 
ful and  happj' :  "  A  merry  heart  doeth  good  like  a  medi- 
cine." Prov.  xvii.  22.  "  He  that  is  of  a  merry  heart  hath 
a  continual  feast."  Prov.  xv.  1.5.  Very  beautiful  is  the 
description  in  Isaiah  xxxv.  and  Ixi.  of  the  change  made  by 
the  joy  of  the  gospel.  It  was  the  abundance  of  their  joy 
that  made  the  PhUippians  abound  in  rich  liberalitj'  (2  Cor. 
viii.  1),  and  have  such  moderation  and  calm  superiority  to 
earthlj'  things.    Phil.  iv.  4,  .5. 

Joy  leads  on  to  thanksgiving.  Praise  is  the  very 
mouth  and  language  of  joj'.  "Let  Israel  rejoice  in  him 
that  made  him.  Let  the  children  of  Zion  be  joyful  in 
their  King.  Let  them  praise  his  name  in  the  dance,  let 
them  sing  praises  unto  him  with  the  timbrel  and  harp." 
Psalm  cxh-iii.  2,  .3.  Isaiah  xii.  3,  -4.  And  as  this  is  very 
honourable  to  the  gospel,  so  it  especially  glorifies  God. 
Psalm  1.  23.  God  delights  to  honour  a  thankful  spirit. 
It  leads  on  to  farther  and  more  glorious  triumphs  over  our 
enemies.  How  delightfully  is  this  exhibited  in  the  case  of 
Jehoshaphat,  when  the  vast  armies  of  Moab,  Ammon,  and 
Mount  Seir,  came  against  him  !  On  having  the  Lord's 
assurance  of  success,  "he  appointed  singers  unto  the  Lord, 
and  praisers  of  the  beauty  of  holiness,  as  they  went  out 
before  the  army,  and  to  say.  Praise  the  Lord,  for  his  mercy 
endureth  for  ever.  And  when  they  began  to  sing  and  to 
praise,"  the  Lord  appeared  for  them,  and  their  enemies  > 


SPIRITUAL  JOY. 


311 


contended  with  and  destroyed  each  othei'.  The  spirit  of 
thankfulness  is  nothing  less  than  happiness  and  victory 
over  our  spiritual  enemies. 

Once  more,  not  to  enlarge  too  much,  the  prospect  of 
future  joy  is  needful  to  enable  us  to  endure  the  pre- 
sent CROSS.  We  all  know  how  the  hope  of  revvard  stimu- 
lates to  exertion  in  every  thing.  Thus  the  labourer,  the 
servant,  the  manufacturer,  the  man  in  trade,  and  every 
human  being,  labours  for  rest  and  recompense.  So  it  is  in 
the  gospel.  Paul  counts  all  but  loss,  that  he  may  win 
Christ,  and,  "  by  any  means,  attain  unto  the  resurrection 
of  the  dead."  Phil.  iii.  Moses  having  "  respect  unto  the 
recompense  of  the  reward,  refused  to  be  called  the  son  of 
Pharaoh's  daughter,  chose  to  suffer  aifliction  with  the  people 
of  God,  and  esteemed  the  reproach  of  Christ  greater  riches 
than  the  treasures  of  Egypt."  Heb.  xi.  Nay,  our  Lord  him- 
self fixed  his  eye  on  this,  and  was  sustained  in  his  suffering 
hours  by  this  :  for  the  joy  set  before  him,  he  endured  the 
cross,  despising  the  shame,  and  is  set  down  at  the  right 
hand  of  the  throne  of  God."  Heb.  xii.  2.  Would  we  en- 
dure our  pi-esent  afflictions  and  trials  for  Christ's  sake,  it 
is  absolutely  necessary  for  us  to  set  the  future  joy  before 
us.  It  is  no  part  of  self-righteousness  to  look  at  a  future 
reward  ;  but  to  have  this  Iwpe,  is  "  a  helmet  of  salvation, 
and  an  anchor  of  the  soul." 

Do  not  then,  Christian  reader,  let  any  one  persuade  you 
that  the  full  assurance  of  hope  is  mere  presumption  and 
rashness,  and  leads  to  pride  and  despising  others.  When 
founded  only  on  Christ,  our  confidence  "  hath  great  re- 
compense of  reward."  Heb.  xi.  35.  When  it  is  "  a  good 
hope  through  grace,"  it  is  God's  gift,  and  a  source  of  un- 
speakable comfort  and  stability  in  the  ways  of  Christ. 

Prayer  for  the  hohj  influence  of  joy. 

Fill  me,  0  Lord,  with  that  joy  and  peace  in  believing, 
which  will  make  me  decided  in  thy  service,  and  abound- 
ing in  thankfulness  ;  which  will  strengthen  me  for  every 
holy  duty,  and  enable  me  to  endure  present  crosses  in  the 


312 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


bright  prospect  of  thy  eternal  glory,  through  Jesus,  my 
Redeemer. 

6.  THE  ATTAINMENT  OF  THIS  JOY. 

If  the  reader  has  accompanied  me  in  spirit  thus  far,  he 
will  be  ready  to  say  now,  it  is  indeed  a  blessed  thing  to 
have  spiritual  joy  :  but  he  may  perhaps  add,  It  may  be 
the  happy  portion  of  favoured  Christians,  but  how  can  I 
hope  to  gain  it  ?  To  assist  you  in  this,  let  us  consider,  how 
this  joy  may  be  attained. 

And,  first,  notice  that  it  is  clear  God  designs  in  his  love 
that  NONE  NEED  BE  WITHOUT  THIS  JOY.  How  Very  dis- 
tinct is  the  first  announcement  of  the  gospel  by  the  angel ! 
"  Behold,  I  bring  you  good  tidings  of  great  joy  which 
shall  be  to  all  people.  For  unto  you  is  born  this  day,  in 
the  citj'  of  David,  a  Saviour,  which  is  Christ  the  Lord." 
The  subsequent  song  of  the  heavenly  host  contains  the 
same  delightful  truth  of  the  universality  of  divine  love, 
"  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  on  earth  peace,  good  will 
towards  men."  Luke  ii.  10,  11 — 14.  Equally  distinct  is 
the  very  last  command  of  our  faithful  Redeemer,  "  Go  ye 
into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  (the  good  news, 
the  glad  tidings,)  to  every  creature."  If  you  are  in  the 
world,  if  you  are  numbered  among  all  creatures,  then  the 
gospel  is  for  you.  The  good  tidings  are  for  you  ;  the  whole 
fault  of  not  being  joyful  in  them  is  not  to  be  placed  any- 
where but  on  yourself,  refusing  to  receive  and  welcome 
them.  There  is  a  feast  of  fat  things  for  you.  All  things 
are  ready.  The  invitation  is  come  to  you  if  it  never  came 
before,  in  these  words  now  set  before  you.  Oh,  make  not 
light  of  it,  but  believe  the  love  of  God  to  your  soul ! 

God  also  COMMANDS  YOU  TO  REJOICE.  I  lay  before  you 
the  solemn  authority  of  a  divine  command.  It  is  not  in 
the  scriptures  said  merely  that  you  are  permitted  and 
allowed  to  rejoice,  but  God  actually  requires  you  to  do  so. 
"  Rejoice  in  the  Lord  always,  again  I  say,  rejoice."  It 
comes  from  the  ambassador  of  God,  speaking  in  his  name, 


SPIRITUAL  JOT. 


313 


and  with  his  authority.  2  Cor.  v.  10.  And  this  command 
is  frequently  given  both  in  the  Old  and  New  Testament. 
"  Rejoice,  0  ye  nations,  with  his  people."  Deut.  xxxii. 
43.  (See  Psalm  xxxii,  11  ;  xxxiii.  1  ;  xcvii.  12  ;  c.  1. 
Zech.  ix.  0,  10.)  There  are  sufficient,  amply  sufficient 
grounds  to  make  this  a  reasonable  command.  "  God  (has) 
so  loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son  to 
be  the  Saviour  of  the  world  " — you  have  only  to  "  receive 
the  atonement "  to  enable  you  to  "  joy  in  God,  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  Rom.  v.  11.  And  that  very  faith 
God  gives  to  those  that  call  on  him.  Rebel  not  then  against 
the  divine  command,  and  be  not  guilty  of  treason  against 
the  God  of  heaven,  in  rejecting  this  full  display  of  his 
grace  and  love. 

Faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  is  the  means  of  pei'sonally 
attaining  this  joy.  Faith,  like  a  new  sense,  discovers  a 
new  world,  and  opening  the  door,  ^dmits  all  the  light  of 
scripture  truth  to  our  minds.  It  is  "  the  substance  of 
things  hoped  for,  and  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen."  It 
shews  that  all  our  hatred  of  God  proceeds  from  ignorance 
and  wickedness.  Eph.  iv.  18.  And  that  notwithstanding 
this  enmity,  God  has  really  so  loved  us  as  to  give  his  Son 
to  death,  that  we  might  be  reconciled  to  him  and  made 
holy  in  his  sight.  Col.  i.  21,  22.  The  rejoicing  "  with  joy 
unspeakable  and  full  of  glory  "  comes  not  through  sensible 
sight,  but  by  believing  in  Jesus.  1  Peter  i.  8  ;  Rom.  xv. 
3.  You  must  confide  in  God's  word,  in  order  tliat  you 
may  rejoice  in  God's  love  ;  and  faith  is  quicksighted  and 
can  discern  love  in  chastisements,  and  glory  in  suffering, 
and  joy  in  sorrow,  and  reads  things  not  by  the  light  of  this 
world,  nor  the  feeling  of  outward  sense,  but  by  the  hea- 
venly light  of  God's  word,  and  the  experience  of  a  spiritual 
mind,  that  discerns  all  things,  even  the  deep  things  of 
God.  Even  in  our  worst  sins,  faith  can  discern  truly  a 
case  that  may  be  more  suited  to,  and  more  manifest,  the 
skill  of  the  unequalled  Physician  of  souls,  and  the  perfec- 
tion of  his  power  and  grace.  The  more  sick  we  are  of  this 
disease  of  sin,  the  more  earnestly  let  us  call  upon  and  trust 


314 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


in  our  heavenly  Saviour  :  who  meets  even  our  backslidings 
by  the  promise,  "  I  will  heal  their  backslidings,"  and  by 
the  command,  "  Again  I  say  rejoice." 

Such  is  the  unfailing  nature  of  this  fountain  of  joy,  that 
there  is  no  conceivable  earthly  condition  where  it  may  not 
be  attained.  It  may  always,  and  in  all  the  varied  cir- 
cumstances of  our  lives,  be  gained.  This  is  plain  from  the 
command  of  God,  as  well  as  from  the  experience  of  his 
people.  Amidst  the  destitution  of  all  earthly  things, 
Habakkuk  says,  "  Yet  I  will  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  I  will 
joy  in  the  God  of  my  salvation.  Hab.  iii.  13.  Amidst  all 
the  extraordinary  and  varied  sufferings  of  the  apostle  Paul, 
he  could  say,  "  I  am  filled  with  comfort,  I  am  exceeding 
joj'ful  in  all  our  tribulation."  2  Cor.  vii.  4.  In  the  worst 
of  this  world's  sorrows  are  some  of  the  sweetest  seasons  of 
the  Christian's  peace  and  joy  ;  the  brightest  beams  of  the 
consolations  of  Christ^are  shining  in  the  darkest  hours  of 
earthly  sorrow.  2  Cor.  i.  3 — 7.  When  we  can  find  least 
light  and  comfort  from  our  fellow-men,  we  may  find  most 
from  our  God.  Matt.  v.  11, 12. 

No  wonder  joy  is  attainable  ;  it  is  the  work  of  the 
Spirit  of  God,  one  of  the  richfmits  which  he  produces. 
If  it  were  to  be  gained  by  our  wisdom  and  strength,  the 
very  effort  would  be  sorrow  and  despair  ;  but  being  the  gift 
of  him  who  gives  liberally  to  them  that  ask,  we  have  only 
to  ask,  and  we  shall  have  ;  to  seek,  and  we  shall  find  ;  to 
knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  to  us. 

Meditation. 

How  great  is  the  love  of  my  God  in  making  such  pro- 
visions for  the  happiness  of  man  !  Oh  let  me  take  heed  of 
unbelief!  May  I  realize  God's  testimony  as  altogether 
true !  May  I  attend  to  his  plain  commands,  and  in  the 
strength  of  those  commands  earnestly  ask  for  the  aid  of 
that  Holy  Spirit,  which  alone  can  enable  me  to  fulfil 
them  ! 


ON  PRAYER. 


315 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

ON  PRAYER. 

1.  Approaching  God  in  Prayer— 2.  The  subjects  of  Prayer— 3.  Watchful- 
ness— 4.  Help  provided  for  us— 5.  The  reward  of  Prayer. 

We  have  now  seen  the  leading  truths  of  the  gospel,  and 
the  graces,  duties,  and  experience  of  the  Christian  ;  it  re- 
mains to  close  the  whole  with  thqse  means  by  which  we 
most  effectually  obtain  and  enjoy  divine  grace,  and  most 
glorify  God  by  returning  to  him  thanksgiving  for  aU  his 
goodness  ;  I  mean  prayer  and  praise. 

As  the  author  has  fully  given  his  thouglits  on  these  in 
his  Treatise  on  Prayer,  it  is  the  less  needful  for  him  here 
to  enlarge.  lie  will  tirst  suggest  those  things  which  may 
assist  the  reader  to  understand,  love,  and  practise  these 
blessed  duties  :  and  then  close  the  work  with  forms  of 
prayer  adapted  to  the  poorer  classes. 

1.  OF  APPROACHING  GOD  IN  PRAYER. 

It  was  one  of  the  first  and  most  affecting  marks  of  our 
fallen  condition,  that  the  presence  of  God  became  painful 
to  man.  Our  first  parents  heard  "  the  voice  of  the  Lord 
God  walking  in  the  garden  in  the  cool  of  the  day."  In  this 
description  we  have  a  sweet  picture  of  the  communion 
which  they  had  previously  enjoyed  ;  apparently  with  the 
Word  of  God  as  man,  anticipating  his  incarnation  ;  but 
now  being  fallen,  they  "  hid  themselves  from  the  presence 
of  the  Lord  God  amongst  the  trees  of  the  garden."  They 


,316 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


had  been  created  in  the  image  and  after  the  likeness  of 
God  :  he  had  been  tlieiv  chief  joy  ;  he  had  furnished  the 
earth  with  every  thing  to  make  them  happy  ;  he  mani- 
fested himself  to  them,  wearing,  as  it  is  reasonably  be- 
lieved, already  a  human  form  ;  and  communion  with  him 
must  have  been  their  richest  privilege.  All  this  was  lost 
by  sin. 

It  is  the  great  design  of  the  gospel,  by  the  death  of 
Jesus, — that  astonishing  display  of  Christ's  grace  and  holy 
love,  shewing  the  greatest  abhorrence  of  sin  and  yet  the 
richest  compassion  to  sinners, — to  bring  us  back  to  real 
and  spiritual  communion  with  God  now,  and  to  per- 
fected, manifested,  and  everlasting  communion  with  him 
hereafter. 

The  first  step  towards  this  communion  is  to  know  and 
believe  the  real  mind  of  God  towards  us.  As  Satan  by  lies 
first  turned  Adam  and  Eve  from  God,  throwing  doubts  be- 
fore them,  both  of  his  faithfulness  and  love  (Gen.  iii.  ] — 5), 
so  he  still  in  the  same  way  keeps  us  from  God.  And  all 
God's  gracious  comnmnications  with  those  who  lived  before 
the  flood,  and  with  those  who  lived  after  ;  his  call  to  Abra- 
ham ;  the  law  given  by  Moses  ;  the  deliverances  by  the 
judges,  and  the  farther  light  given  through  inspired  writers, 
kings  and  prophets,  have  all  been  designed  to  exhibit  to 
us  God's  real  character  as  still  full  of  holy  love.  He  hates 
sin  most  intensely,  as  we  see  in  the  deluge,  and  by  Sodom 
and  Gomorrah,  and  the  sufferings  and  captivity  of  his  own 
people  ;  yet  ever  welcomes  the  returning  sinner,  and  fills 
his  soul  with  good  things. 

But  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  is  the  last  and  the 
brightest  display  of  this  truth,  that  God  really  loves  sinful 
men  with  righteous  love,  and  really  waits  to  be  gracious, 
and  really  rejoices  over  those  who  come  to  him.  "  God  so 
loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son — God 
was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto  himself — the  Lord 
hath  laid  on  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all."  These  truths  shew 
us  the  real  mind  of  God  towards  us,  with  a  brightness  and 
loveliness  of  grace  and  holiness,  that  ought  to  win  every 


ON  PRAYER. 


317 


heart.  They  render  our  keeping  at  a  distance  from  God 
wliolly  inexcusable.  The  question  is  no  longer,  Will  God 
be  reconciled  to  me  ?  but,  Will  I  be  reconciled  to  him  ? 
The  case  is  not,  God  is  too  terrible  and  too  holy  to  be  ap- 
proached ;  but  I,  in  my  natural  state,  through  love  of  sin, 
liate  him,  and  prefer  my  lusts  to  my  God,  though  he  has 
opened  the  very  door  of  access  to  all  his  glories  and  bless- 
edness. 

Come,  then,  poor  sinner,  and  gaze  upon  God's  grace  to 
thee  in  Christ  Jesus.  See  his  paternal  heart  as  it  w^ere 
yearning  over  thee  ;  "  Oh,  that  my  people  had  hearkened 
unto  me,  and  Israel  had  walked  in  my  ways."  Psalm 
Ixxxi.  13.  "  Oh,  that  thou  hadst  hearkened  to  my  com- 
mandments, then  had  thy  peace  been  as  a  river,  and  thy 
righteousness  as  the  waves  of  the  sea."  Isaiah  xlviii.  18. 
Jer.  xiii.  15 — 17.  See  how,  when  "  we  were  enemies,  we 
were  reconciled  to  God  by  the  death  of  his  Son  ;  much  more, 
being  reconciled,  we  shall  be  saved  by  his  life."  Rom.  v.  10. 
Hear  his  gracious  invitations.  "  Be  ye  reconciled  to  God." 
2  Cor.  v.  20.  "  Come,  for  all  things  are  now  ready."  Luke 
xiv.  17.  Job  xxii.  21.  And  be  sure  there  is  not  one  impe- 
diment on  God's  part ;  but  on  tiie  contrary  he  has  provided 
every  help  for  your  immediate,  happy  and  constant  com- 
munion with  him. 

The  way  of  a  sinner's  approach,  then,  is  to  believe 
God's  love  to  us  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  to  go  to  him  in  that 
only  way  opened  for  us.  Jesus  says,  "  I  am  the  way,  the 
truth,  and  the  life  ;  no  man  cometii  unto  the  Father  but 
by  me."  John  xiv.  G.  Open  thy  heart  then  to  the  full 
testimony  of  God's  love  in  the  world.  See  his  gracious 
promises  and  covenant.  "  I  will  put  my  laws  in  their 
liearts,  and  in  their  minds  will  I  write  them,  and  their  sins 
and  iniquities  will  I  remember  no  more  ;  "  and  then  on 
tliis  ground  see  how  you  are  encouraged,  "  having  boldness 
to  enter  into  the  holiest,  by  the  blood  of  Jesus — to  draw 
near  with  a  true  heart,  in  full  assurance  of  faith."  Ileb.  x. 
10—22. 

Think,  then,  before  prayer,  God  is  really  here.  lie  loves 


318 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


me  truly  ;  he  wishes  to  hear  from  me  my  desires.  He  bids 
me  pour  out  my  heart  before  him.  "  He  is,  and  he  is  a 
rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek  him."  Heb.  xi.  6. 
I  have  a  great  Higli  Priest,  perfectly  holy,  in  whom  I  am 
accepted,  and  even  my  feeblest  prayers  are  acceptable.  I 
will  trust,  and  not  be  afraid.  God's  word  is  true  ;  my  hope 
is  sure.  He  will  receive  me  just  as  I  am.  There  is  a  throne 
of  grace,  and  at  this  throne  there  is  mercy  for  me,  and  grace 
for  me,  in  this  my  time  of  need.  The  invisible  God  is  yet 
here,  and  he  is  my  Father,  and  though  he  has  ceased,  in  full 
manifestations,  to  dwell  with  men,  and  is  only  thus  in 
heaven  now,  yet  he  hears  on  earth  my  feeblest  sigh,  and 
never  hears  in  vain  one  prayer  made  to  him  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ. 

Indeed,  next  to  knowing  what  God's  mind  is  towards 
us,  it  is  most  important  to  have  real  faith  in  his  promises 
to  prayer.  And  of  all  the  promises  in  the  Bible,  those 
made  to  believing  prayer  are  the  most  general,  and  the 
most  direct  and  express.  God  takes  it  as  his  very  title  that 
he  is  one  that  "  hears  prayer."  Psalm  Ixv.  2.  How  full 
and  large,  how  general  and  delightful,  the  plain  promises  ! 
"  Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given  you  :  seek,  and  ye  shall  find  ; 
knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you.  If  ye,  being  evil, 
know  how  to  give  good  gifts  uuto  your  children,  how  much 
JIORE  shall  your  heavenly  Father  give  good  things  to  them 
that  ask  him."  Matthew  vii.  7 — 11.  "  Whatsoever  ye  shall 
ask  in  my  name,  that  will  1  do."  John  xiv.  13.  How  ex- 
plicit and  encouraging  the  direction  !  "  Be  careful  for 
nothing,  but  in  everything,  by  prayer  and  supplication, 
with  thanksgiving,  let  your  requests  be  made  known  unto 
God."  Phil.  iv.  6.  Let  us  believe  these  promises  with  our 
whole  heart  ;  let  us  fulfil  this  direction  as  our  richest  pri- 
vilege, and  we  shall  know  the  Christian's  secret  joy  of  heart 
in  approaching  to  God. 

There  are  various  kinds  of  prayer,  private,  public,  family, 
social,  and  habitual  ;  but  we  will  rather  confine  our  atten- 
tion now  to  prayer  generally. 


OS  PRAYER. 


319 


Prayer  for  the  grace  of  Prayer. 

0  thou,  who  hast  given  such  great  and  precious  pro- 
mises to  those  who  call  upon  thy  holy  name,  and  who 
knowest  all  my  unwillingness  to  pray,  and  that,  through 
my  own  sin  and  unbelief,  I  cannot  go  to  Christ  except 
thou  give  me  that  grace  ;  draw  me,  I  entreat  thee,  by 
the  voice  of  thy  gospel  and  the  teaching  of  thy  Spirit, 
that  it  may  be  my  delight  to  pray  unto  thee.  Give  me 
the  spirit  of  grace  and  supplication,  that,  praying  in  the 
Holy  Ghost,  I  may  effectually  obtain  mercy,  and  find 
grace  to  help  in  time  of  need,  through  Jesus  Christ  my 
Redeemer. 

2.  THE  SUBJECTS  OF  PRAYER. 

When  we  believe  from  the  heart  that  the  God  of  all  power 
and  grace,  riches  and  glory,  loves  us,  really  hears  us,  really 
answers  prayer,  and  does  assuredly  give  liberally  to  thera 
that  ask  in  faith,  we  shall  no  more  want  subjects  of  prayer. 
Everything  may  be  made  an  occasion  ;  the  Bible  is  an  in- 
exhaustible treasury  of  subjects.  All  its  promises  may  be 
pleaded  in  prayer  ;  all  its  threatenings  may  be  averted  from 
us  by  prayer  ;  all  its  directions  and  precepts  furnisli  re- 
quests for  grace  to  observe  them  ;  all  its  history,  l)y  its  in- 
struction of  our  dangers  and  temptations  in  the  wicked, 
and  of  our  duty  and  safety  in  the  righteous,  furnishes  mo- 
tives for  prayer.  The  Bible  is  in  reality  the  full  Book  of 
Common  Prayer  for  the  whole  church  of  God.  The  Psalms 
are  divine  forms  of  prayer.  The  prayers  of  the  saints 
given  tliroughout  it,  afford  us  beautiful  patterns  for  our 
prayers. 

But  especially  the  Lord's  Prayer  contains  the  richest 
and  fullest  instruction  and  example  as  to  what  should  be 
mentioned  in  prayer. 

But  though  there  are  the  highest  subjects  of  prayer,  and 
this  is  the  first  pattern  as  well  as  the  most  blessed  form  of 
prayer,  we  need  not,  we  must  not,  confine  our  prayers  to 
this  the  chief  model. 


320 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


We  are  told,  "  Trust  in  him  at  all  times,  ye  people  ; 
pour  out  your  hearts  before  him  ;  God  is  a  refuge  for  us." 
Psalm  Ixii.  8.  We  have  an  example  of  this  pouring  out 
of  the  heart,  and  the  comfort  of  it,  in  the  102d  Psalm  ;  and 
in  the  142d  Psalm,  David  says  (ver.  2),  "  I  poured  out  my 
complaint  before  him,  I  shewed  before  him  my  trouble." 
This  is  a  most  instructive  description  of  the  real  nature  of 
prayer.  It  is  not  a  form  of  words,  but  it  is  the  emptying 
of  the  inward  feelings  into  the  bosom  of  God  ;  the  desire  of 
the  heart  expressed  to  the  most  mighty  and  most  gracious 
of  friends. 

Now  here  our  sins,  our  wants,  and  our  fellow-men,  and 
our  mercies,  may  be  viewed  as  forming  the  leading  subjects 
of  our  prayers. 

Our  sixs,  in  any  light  in  which  they  affect  our  con- 
science, and  burden  our  spirit,  should  be  confessed  to  God, 
freely  and  ingenuously  with  all  their  aggravations.  Sins 
in  spirit,  against  each  of  the  ten  commandments  ;  sins 
against  the  law  of  love  to  God  and  of  love  to  man  ;  sins 
against  the  light  of  the  gospel,  and  the  checks  of  con- 
science, and  against  solemn  resolutions,  aggravated  by  their 
multitude  and  our  privileges,  and  the  fearful  threatenings 
and  gracious  promises  of  God.  Sins  which  maj-  be  traced 
up  to  a  corrupt  nature  as  their  true  source  and  deepest  de- 
gradation. Psalm  li.  5. 

Our  wants  furnish  another  large  reason  for  prayer 
every  day  of  our  lives.  If  we  realh'  are,  as  we  acknow- 
ledge, sinners,  how  much  we  need  pardon,  and  deliverance 
from  the  guilt  and  the  power  of  sin  !  How  we  need  suc- 
cour against  temptation  from  our  varied  enemies,  and  to 
escape  that  punishment  which  sin  merits  !  If  we  are  needy 
and  helpless,  as  we  really  are,  how  much  we  require  divine 
aid  to  sanctify  us  both  inwardly  and  outwardly  ;  that  our 
thoughts  and  affections,  our  words  and  actions,  may  be 
pure,  and  holy,  and  heavenly  ;  that  we  may  trust  in  the 
grace  of  God,  receive  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  obey  the  will  of 
God,  believe  in  his  Son,  walk  after  his  Spirit,  and  rejoice 
in  his  love  !    What  an  extended  ground  for  prayer  also  is 


ON  PRAYER, 


821 


opened  by  our  temporal  wants  ;  the  things  needful  to  pro- 
vide for  and  protect,  nourish  and  sustain,  and  comfort  us, 
day  by  day. 

OiTR  FELLOW-MEN,  again,  have  to  be  prayed  for.  The 
churcli  of  God  sprea<l  over  the  world  should  iiave  our  first 
thoughts,  that  grace  may  be  with  all  them  that  love  the 
Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity,  and  he  may  speedily  come  in  his 
power  and  glory,  establishing  his  kingdom  over  the  earth. 
Then  Christian  nations  should  be  remembered,  that  God 
may  purify  them  from  their  corruptions,  and  destroy  An- 
tichrist, and  revive  his  ancient  churches.  The  Jews  ought 
also  to  have  a  special  place  in  our  prayers,  according  to  the 
mind  of  Christ.  Isaiah  Ixii.  The  infidel  nations,  Pagan 
and  Mahomedau,  should  be  remembered,  that  God  would 
give  the  heathen  to  Christ  for  his  inheritance,  and  the  ut- 
termost parts  of  the  earth  for  his  possession.  Our  own 
country  has  also  a  strong  claim  on  our  prayers :  that  it 
may  be  preserved  from  wicked  men,  and  made  a  blessing 
to  the  earth.  Then  come  the  interesting  circles  of  home, 
parents,  brothers,  sisters,  children,  relatives,  servants, 
friends,  and  of  neighbourhood  ;  those  dwelling  about  us, 
with  whom  we  have  social  intercourse  ;  and  lastly,  the 
poor  and  afflicted  also,  and  all  in  sorrow  and  need.  The 
very  hints  of  these  things  may  shew  the  extent  of  prayer. 

Our  mercies  are  a  still  more  copious  occasion  of  com- 
munion with  God.  How  many,  how  daily,  how  great  they 
are,  no  tongue  can  tell !  Look  at  those  of  a  tempond  cha- 
racter, in  your  being,  birth,  nature,  education,  and  preser- 
vation ;  in  the  possession  of  limbs,  faculties,  sense,  health, 
property.  Look  at  those  of  a  naiional  character.  What  a 
privileged  country  is  ours  :  what  freedom,  what  religious 
advantages,  what  fulness  of  scriptures,  what  quietness  and 
safety  !  Look  at  our  scriptural  mercies,  the  gift  of  Clirist, 
tlie  promise  of  the  Spirit,  our  churches,  the  means  of  grace, 
baptism,  the  Lord's  Supper  ;  then  view  your  election,  your 
redemption,  vocation,  justification,  adoption,  and  sanctifi- 
cation  ;  view  the  return,  kingdom,  and  glory  of  Christ,  and 
liis  making  you  an  inheritor  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ; 


322 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


look  again  at  more  particular  mercies  to  you,  in  special 
preservation  from  danger,  recover}^  from  sickness  of  body 
or  backsliding  of  soul.  Then  think  of  the  innumerable 
multitude  of  these  mercies.  How  wonderful  the  Giver, 
and  how  unworthy  the  receiver  !  think  of  his  forbearance 
and  his  grace  to  such  a  sinner.  Then  look  also  at  his 
mercies  to  your  fellow-men,  in  the  varied  connections  we 
have  noticed.  And  surely  you  will  close  the  review  as 
David  does,  "  Whoso  is  wise,  and  will  observe  these  things, 
even  they  shall  understand  the  loving  kindness  of  the  Lord. 
My  mouth  shall  speak  the  praise  of  the  Lord,  and  let  all 
flesh  bless  his  holy  name  for  ever  and  ever."  Psalm  cvii. 
43  ;  cxlv.  21. 

Prayer  for  eidargement  of  mind  in  the  things  of  God. 

O  my  heavenly  Father,  how  dark  and  ignorant  I  am, 
that  I  should  be  at  a  loss  what  to  say  in  prayer  to  thee, 
with  such  great  and  weightj'^  matters  to  bring  before  thee. 
Lord,  have  mercj'^  upon  me,  and  open  my  eyes  to  see  the 
wondrous  things  of  thy  word,  and  enlarge  my  heart  to 
desire  those  great  blessings  which  thou  hast  promised. 
Shew  me  my  sinfulness,  that  I  may  freely  and  fully  con- 
fess sin  ;  shew  me  thy  riches,  that  I  may  petition  for  grace  : 
give  me  love  to  my  fellow-men,  that  I  may  abound  in 
intercession  for  others  ;  and  shed  abroad  thy  love  in  my 
heart,  that  I  may  always  and  in  every  thing  give  thanks 
unto  thee.  Thus  enlarge  my  heart  to  run  in  the  way  of 
thy  commandments,  for  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

3.  WATCHFULNESS. 

The  difficulties  of  prayer,  from  the  remaining  evils,  even 
in  the  converted  man's  heart,  are  very  great.  That  inward 
conflict  of  which  we  have  spoken,  manifests  itself  espe- 
cially in  all  our  efforts  to  pray.  "  The  flesh  lusteth  against 
the  spirit,  and  the  spirit  against  the  flesh."  To  persevere 
in  steady,  daily,  fervent,  full  prayer,  is  the  very  highest 
attainment  of  a  Christian,  and  his  full  blessedness  on  earth. 


ON  PRAYER. 


823 


Watchfulness,  so  often  connected  with  prayer  (Luke 
xxi.  36.  Col.  iv.  2.  1  Peter  iv.  7.  Eph.  vi.  18),  is  espe- 
cially necessary  for  continuance  in  prayer.  Watchfulness 
is  that  state  of  mind  wliic'i  auards  against  expected  dan- 
gers, sliakes  off  sinful  security,  takes  heed  lest  sin,  Satan, 
or  the  world  sliould  deceive,  overcome,  or  hurt  us,  and 
looks  out  for  the  promises  and  effectual  help  assured  to  us 
in  the  word  of  God.  Watchfulness  is  self-recollected ness 
of  our  danger  and  our  duties,  our  means  of  safety  and  our 
hopes,  so  that  the  soul  is  ready  for  duty,  as  occasions  call 
for  it. 

By  watchfulness  we  come  to  learn  the  real  hindrances 
to  prayer,  which  are  many  and  serious.  The  love  of  sin 
damps  all  our  confidence  in  God.  Psalm  Ixvi.  Hi.  It  is 
a  gross  inconsistency  to  attempt  to  please  God  by  prayer, 
when  we  are  gratifying  our  lusts,  which  God  lias  forbidden  ; 
making  our  religion  a  mere  cover  for  treason  and  rebellion 
against  God.  What  communion  can  there  be  with  him  in 
such  vain  repetitions  !  Matt.  vi.  7.  Watch  then  against 
this  sincerity.  The  same  kind  of  hindrance  is  seen  in  a 
disregard  of  the  word  of  God.  If  we  refuse  to  hear  the 
voice  of  our  best  and  only  really  effective  friend  ;  our  God 
and  our  Father,  what  can  prayer  to  him  be  but  self-righte- 
ous ostentation,  instead  of  real  desire  to  do  his  will.  "  He 
that  turneth  away  his  ear  from  hearing  the  law,  even  his 
])rayer  shall  be  abomination."  Prov.  xxviii.  19  Let  us 
not  neglect  to  pray,  however  wicked  we  may  have  been  or 
now  are  ;  but  let  us  really  seek  grace  to  deliver  us  from 
our  wickedness.  Watch  then,  against  such  hypocrisy,  as 
mere  formal  prayer.  Worldliness  of  spirit  is  another 
mighty  impediment.  "  Take  heed  to  yourselves,  lest  at 
any  time  your  hearts  be  overcharged  with  sui-feiting  and 
drunkenness  and  cares  of  this  life,"  if  you  would  "  watch 
and  pray  always."  Luke  xxi.  ."4 — 30.  Indisposition  to 
prayer  is  our  natural  state,  and  not  to  be  indulged  but  con- 
tended with  ;  self-righteous  satisfaction,  on  the  other  side, 
is  equally  injurious  to  the  true  spirit  of  prayer.  Luke 
xviii.  9 — 14.    Seeking  the  glory  that  comes  from  man 

Y  2 


324 


CHRISTIAN  TRVTH 


(Matt.  vi.  5),  makes  prayer  offensive  to  God,  as  does  anj' 
indulged  sin.  Isaiah  i.  10 — 10.  Watchfulness  overcomes 
these  hindrances. 

By  watchfulness  we  find  out  that  many  excuses,  which 
at  first  seemed  sufficient,  arise  from  the  mere  love  of  sin 
and  unbelief — such  as  "  it  is  needless  to  pray,"  "  I  cannot 
pray,"  "  I  am  too  bus^^,"  "  I  find  no  benefit  from  it,"  "  I 
am  too  wicked ;  it  is  legal,  it  is  formal."  Oh,  wretched 
reasons ;  which  none  would  urge,  if  a  superior  were  to 
promise  great  benefits  which  they  desired,  on  their  apply- 
ing for  them,  and  which  therefore  only  leave  us  more 
guilty  and  justly  exposed  to  more  wrath,  for  refusing  to 
accept  God's  invitations  and  gifts.  Watchfulness  guards 
against  and  meets  these  excuses. 

There  are  some  more  and  insinuating  and  ensnaring  dif- 
picuLTiES.  We  rise  up  late,  and  lose  the  time  we  had  at 
our  own  disposal  for  prayer  ;  we  are  interested  in  our 
employments,  and  defer  prayer  at  night,  till  we  are  wearied 
and  too  sleepy  to  give  earnestness  of  mind  to  prayer.  We 
are  thrown  into  new  circumstances,  and  have  not  the  usual 
season  of  prayer.  Watchfulness  prepares  us  not  to  yield 
to  such  temptations. 

Watchfulness  has  again  full  employment  in  the  acts 
OF  PRAYiXG.  To  seize  favourable  opportunities  beyond 
our  ordinary  seasons  ;  a  private  walk  or  journey  ;  a  time 
of  special  danger  and  difficulty  ;  an  important  duty  before 
us,  are  such  seasons.  Then  in  prayer  itself.  Oh,  the  fear- 
ful hindrances  !  I  have  heard  of  a  farmer,  only  just 
beginning  to  think  of  religion,  who,  in  reading  a  form  of 
family  prayer,  would  stop  in  the  middle,  and  ask  his  men 
some  questions  about  the  farm,  and  then  go  on  ;  and  then 
again,  before  he  had  finished,  recollecting  some  fresh  worldly 
concern,  would  ask  other  questions  ;  plainly  manifesting 
where  his  heart  was  while  he  prayed.  Do  you  see  the  folly 
and  sinfulness  of  such  interruptions  1  Look  within.  He, 
alas,  did  openly  what  our  hearts  are  reallj'  doing  in  almost 
eveiy  jjrayer  we  make.    0  how  great  our  need  of  a  firm 


ON  PRAYEE. 


325 


watclifulness  '  "  stirring  up  ourselves,"  in  the  language  of 
scripture,  to  take  hold  of  God.    Isaiah  Ixiv.  7. 

Then  we  need  to  watch  for  helps  to  prayer.  As  we 
shall  see,  those  helps  are  abundantly  provided  ;  but  it  is  by 
watchfulness  we  apply  for  them  and  obtain  them. 

The  same  watchfulness  will  regard  the  answers  of 
PRAYER.  David  says,  "  I  will  hear  what  the  Lord  will 
speak,  for  he  will  speak  peace  unto  his  people,  and  to  his 
saints."  Psalm  Ixxxv.  8.  And  Habakkuk  determines,  "I 
will  stand  upon  my  watch,  and  get  me  upon  the  tower,  and 
will  watch  to  see  what  he  will  say  unto  me."  Hab.  ii.  1. 
Many  a  profitable  lesson,  as  well  as  much  encouragement 
to  prayer,  is  gained  by  such  watchfulness.  "I  love  the 
Lord,  because  he  hath  heard  my  supplications,  therefore 
will  I  call  upon  him  as  long  as  I  live."    Psalm  cxvi.  1,  2. 

1  John  v.  14,  15. 

Prayer  for  Watchfulness. 

0  my  blessed  Redeemer,  how  often  hast  thou  charged 
me  to  watch !  How  clearly  hast  thou  said.  What  I  say 
unto  you,  I  say  unto  all,  watch  !  And  how  opposed  is  my 
self-indulgent,  heavy  and  worldly  mind  to  this  spirit  ! 
How  great  my  outside  formality  and  my  inward  sloth  and 
carelessness  !  Come  then  with  thine  own  Spirit,  and  suc- 
cour me,  that  I  may  shake  off  the  heaviness  of  a  corrupt 
nature,  and  follow  thee  fully  in  all  things,  for  tliy  name's 
sake.  Amen. 

4.  HELP  PROVIDED  FOR  US. 

It  is  most  true,  that  we  are  really  helpless  as  to  prayer 
in  ourselves.  Our  ignorance  is  deep,  "  we  know  not  what 
to  pray  for  as  we  ought."  Our  averseness  is  in  ourselves 
insurmountable.  "  No  man  can  come  to  me,  except  the 
Father,  which  hath  sent  me,  draw  him."  John  vi.  44. 
Our  very  thoughts  are  not  at  our  command  ;  we  are  not 
sufficient  of  ourselves  to  think  any  thing  as  of  ourselves." 

2  Cor.  iii.  .5.  In  short,  without  Christ  "  we  can  do  nothing." 


326 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


There  is  a  state  of  self-sufficiency  that  repels  all  this, 
and  says,  "  It  is  not  true.  I  can  do  what  I  please."  There 
is  a  state  of  earthliness  and  love  of  sin,  which  says,  "  Oh, 
it  is  quite  true,  and  therefore  I  need  not  do  anytliing.  I 
must  leave  all  to  God,  who  will  do  all  without  uie." 

But  in  both  cases  the  mind  is  in  willing  captivity  to  sin 
and  Satan  ;  blinded  by  pride,  self-conceit,  and  the  love  of 
sin.  The  Bible  has  an  answer  for  both.  By  exhibiting 
the  death  of  Jesus  for  our  sins,  it  condemns  all  sin.  When 
the  gospel  is  believed,  it  humbles  and  removes  our  pride 
and  self-wisdom,  and  it  shews  how  hateful  all  sin  is  in 
itself,  and  rouses  us  to  look  to  Christ,  who  has  life  for  us. 

There  is  help  "  laid  on  one  that  is  mighty,"  for  us.  Jesus 
is  "  mighty  to  save  "  us  ;  and  the  helps  which  he  has  pro- 
vided are  all-sufficient. 

He  has  given  us  many  outward  helps.  His  word,  as 
we  have  seen,  is  the  Common  Prayer  Book  of  the  church  ; 
containing  motives,  and  helps,  and  forms,  and  full  matter 
for  constant  prayer.  He  has  given  us  a  perfect  form  of 
prayer.  Luke  xi.  2—4.  From  our  early  years  most  of  us 
have  been  taught  daily  to  pray  to  God  in  secret.  All  his 
varying  providences,  trials,  and  mercies,  difficulties  and 
temptations,  dangers  and  anxieties,  sorrows  and  joys,  are 
so  many  outward  calls  to  prayer,  "  Is  any  among  you 
afflicted  ?  let  Lim  pray.  Is  any  merry  ?  let  him  sing 
psalms."  James  V.  1.3.  Were  we  in  a  right  state,  every 
step  in  providence  would  be  an  occasion  of  prayer  and  of 
praise,  and  we  should  be  walking  with  God  all  the  day 
long. 

The  Psalms  may  be  viewed  as  the  very  office  of  prayers, 
which  our  Redeemer  used.  How  often  he  quotes  them  ! 
Matthew  xxi.  16,  42  ;  xxii.  44  ;  John  x.  34  ;  xiii.  18  ;  xv. 
25.  Two  of  his  last  prayers  on  the  cross  were  in  the  words 
of  the  Psalms.  Matt,  xxvii.  46.  Luke  xxiii.  46.  To  a 
very  large  extent  they  may  profitably  be  viewed  as  the 
prayers  and  praises  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  well  as 
predictions  concerning  him,  (Luke  xxiv.  44.)  and  thus  be 
used  by  us  and  offered  up  in  his  name. 


ON  PRAYER. 


827 


It  may  assist  the  reader  in  his  prayers  to  point  out  some 
scriptural  prayers  from  the  psalms,  wliicli  he  may  use  for 
his  assistance  as  lie  needs. 

Confession  of  sin,  xxxviii.  li.  Ixxiii. 

Prayers  for  pardon  and  help,  vi.  xxv.  xxxv.  cxxx.  cxliii. 

Prayers  for  grace  to  keep  God's  law.    Psalm  cxix. 

Fraj'ers  in  affliction,  xliii.  xliv.  Ix.  Ixxiv.  Ixxix.  Ixxx. 
xciv.  cxxxvii. 

Intercession  for  the  coming  of  Christ,  and  his  kingdom, 
XX.  xlv.  Ixxii.  cxxxii. 

Intercession  for  Jerusalem,  cxxii. 

Intercession  for  the  Gentiles,  Ixvii. 

Thanksgivings,  xxx.  xxxiv.  ciii.  cxviii. 

Praise  and  adoration,  xciii.  xcvi.  c.  cvii.  cxv. 

Self-examination  may  also  furnish  a  material  help  to 
prayer.  At  the  close  of  the  day,  to  recal  the  varied  scenes 
of  morning,  afternoon,  and  evening,  and  the  state  of  our 
ininds  in  each  ;  what  our  actions  were,  and  what  words 
passed  from  us,  and  what  our  leading  desires  were,  and  to 
compare  all  with  the  law  of  supreme  love  to  God  and 
hearty  love  to  all  men,  will  tend  much  to  shew  us  what 
has  to  be  confessed  before  God  in  prayer,  and  what  grace 
has  to  be  requested.  At  the  commencement  of  the  day,  to 
consider  through  what  scenes  we  shall  have  to  pass,  and 
what  have  been  our  dangers  and  failures  in  similar  scenes, 
will  furnish  us  in  the  morning  with  helps  for  our  petitions 
from  God.  The  119th  Psalm,  the  Epistle  to  the  Ephesians, 
the  Sermon  on  the  Mount,  (Matt.  v.  vi.  vii.)  and  the  first 
epistle  of  St.  John,  will  furnish  you  with  the  great  tests  of 
Christian  character. 

The  chief  point  of  self-examination  is  indeed  to  know 
whether  we  be  "  in  the  faith,"  and  whether  "  Christ  Jesus 
be  in  us."  2  Cor.  xiii.  5.  And  this  is  to  be  seen  in  all 
the  fruits  of  faith,  love,  purity,  victory  over  the  world, 
righteousness,  joy,  peace. 

And  still  let  us  remember,  tliat  to  gain  real  good  we 
must  look  away  from  ourselves  and  from  every  thing  else, 
and  look  only  unto  Jesus.    The  very  ends  to  be  desired  in 


328 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


self-examination,  even  humility,  contrition,  repentance, 
love,  holiness,  peace  and  joy,  are  attained  by  looking  an 
Jesus. 

But  prayer  is  an  inward  and  spiritual  work,  and  the 
grand  helps  to  prayer  are  ixward,  and  to  be  drawn  from 
the  gracious,  bountiful,  holy  and  compassionate  mind  of 
God  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost.  This  is 
the  one  way  in  which  both  Jew  and  Gentile  can  with  con- 
fidence and  joy  come  to  God  ;  "  through  Christ  we  both 
have  access  by  one  Spirit  unto  the  Father."  As  we  realize 
this  we  rise  through  forms,  and  even  far  above  forms,  to 
sweet  and  perfect  communion  with  God. 

GoD,  SEEX  AS  OUR  Fathee,  is  the  great  motive  to  prayer. 
This  made  the  prodigal  return.  Luke  sv.  This  our  Lord 
puts  in  the  front  of  his  prayer.  And  blessed  be  his  name,  we 
have  only  to  read  and  believe  his  word  to  know  that  when 
we  truly  go  to  him  he  wUl  be  a  Father  to  us  (2  Cor.  vi. 
17,  18.)  that  when  we  believe  in  Jesus,  we  have  the  right 
and  privilege  of  being  his  sons  ;  (John  i.  12.)  that  when 
we  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God  we  are  the  sons  of  God. 
Rom.  viii.  14.  Thus  let  us  gain  assurance  from  his  word, 
of  his  fatherly  heart  to  us,  and  know  that  the  very  end 
of  redemption  was  that  we  might  receive  the  adoption  of 
sons.  Gal.  iv.  .5.  Thus,  believing,  we  shall  receive  "the 
Spirit  of  adoption,  and  cry  Abba,  Father  and  go  to  him 
as  our  dear  children  come  to  us,  with  feelings  of  confidence 
and  not  of  terror,  with  feelings  of  reverence  and  not  of  un- 
due familiarity  ;  with  feelings  of  love  and  joy  ;  and  not  of 
unwillingness  and  reluctance. 

Jescs  OCR  Mediator,  is  the  next  great  inward  help  of 
prayer.  Let  us  realize  the  truth,  so  precious  and  un- 
speakably important  to  such  sinful  creatures  ;  that  we 
have  "  a  great  High  Priest  that  is  passed  into  the  hea- 
vens ;"  that  he  is  touched  with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities ; 
that  he  appears  there  in  the  presence  of  God  for  us  ;  that 
he  bears  the  iniquity  of  our  holy  things  ;  that  our  prayers 
are  oflFered  by  him  with  much  incense  of  his  own  merit, 
and  that  he  ever  lives  to  make  intercession  for  us  ;  and 


ON  PRAYER. 


329 


thus,  what  a  door  of  access  is  opened  to  us,  notwithstand- 
ing all  our  sinfulness.  The  scriptures  teach  us,  with  a 
strength  and  confidence  it  would  have  been  otherwise  pre- 
sumption to  have  used  :  "  Having  therefore,  brethren, 
boldness  to  enter  into  the  holiest  by  the  blood  of  Jesus — 
let  us  draw  near  with  a  true  heart."  Heb.  x.  19 — 22.  Even 
to  appear  in  the  outer  court  would  be  a  privilege,  but  for 
such  as  we  to  come  into  the  holiest  !  0  how  efficacious 
and  mighty  is  the  blood  of  our  Redeemer  ! 

The  Holy  Ghost  is  also  our  inward  intercessor  on 
earth,  as  Jesus  is  our  Intercessor  above.  He  brings  all 
God's  love  into  personal  feeling,  experience,  and  enjoyment. 
"  The  Spirit  also  helpeth  our  infirmities,  for  we  know  not 
what  we  should  pray  for  as  we  ought  ;  but  the  Spirit 
itself  maketh  intercession  for  us,  with  groanings  which 
cannot  be  uttered."  Rom.  viii.  2G.  This  is  "  that  spirit 
of  grace  and  of  supplication  "  which  God  has  so  graciously 
promised  to  pour  out,  (Zech.  xii.  10.*)  and  that  "  praying 
in  the  Holy  Ghost,  (Jude  20.)  which  makes  prayer  really 
"  fervent  and  eff'ectual."  James  v.  16.  Gain  this,  and  you 
gain  almighty  strength  to  carry  you  over  all  your  weak- 
ness and  deadness,  your  wanderings  and  distractions,  3'our 
mere  formality  and  lip-service. 

See  what  a  provision  of  love  God  has  made  for  your 
living  in  prayer,  and  attaining  the  full  blessedness  con- 
nected with  the  gracious  command,  "  Pray  without 
ceasing  ! " 

Thanksgiving  for  God's  gracious  assistance  in  Prayer. 

Almighty  and  most  merciful  Father,  thou  hast  done 
everything  to  help  me  to  call  upon  thy  name.  What  more 
couldest  thou  have  done  for  thy  vineyard  !  I  praise  thee 
first  for  thine  own  love  ;  I  praise  thee  for  the  gift  of  thy 
Son  ;  I  praise  thee  for  the  promise  of  thy  Spirit ;  I  praise 
thee  for  the  word  of  thy  grace  ;  I  praise  thee  for  all  thy 
gracious  providences.  Oh,  give  me  a  heart  to  listen  to  all 
thy  often  repeated  calls,  and  to  walk  with  thee  all  the  day 
long,  through  Jesus,  my  Redeemer. 


330 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


5.  THE  REWARD  OF  PRAYER. 

"  God  is  a  revvarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek  him," 
and  what  tongue  can  tell  the  fulness  of  this  reward  1 
Search  the  scriptures,  and  see  for  yourselves  how  prayer 
is  rewarded  :  what  gracious  answers  in  every  age  it  has 
obtained  ;  what  incalculable  blessings  have  been  given  to 
the  praj'ing  soul  I 

We  can  here  only  slightly  touch  on  a  few  of  those  good 
things  which  are  given  to  prayer. 

Really  loving  us,  and  having  appointed  prayer  as  the 
means  of  his  bestowing  upon  us  what  is  good  for  us,  God 

TRULY   ANSWERS   OUR  PRAYERS  AS  IS  BEST  FOR  US.  He 

always,  in  answer  to  the  desire  of  the  heart,  expressed  in 
prayer  to  him,  gives  what  will  best  meet  that  desire  for 
our  highest  good.  Let  us  remember  our  own  blindness  and 
our  ignorance  of  what  is  for  our  real  good.  If  my  child 
comes  to  me  for  that  which  would  injure  him  if  granted 
immediately,  and  I  know  it  would  do  so,  my  love  to  the 
child  requires  me  to  delay  the  gift,  and  to  meet  his  real 
wants  by  providing  for  his  best  happiness  in  a  deeper  and 
fuller  way  than  my  child  ever  thinks  of.  So,  infinitely 
more  our  heavenly  Father,  knowing  our  real  necessities, 
answers  our  real  wishes  to  be  made  happy  in  what  we 
request  of  him.  Have  this  true  faith  in  every  prayer. 
How  beautifully  the  apostle  John  states  it,  "  This  is  the 
confidence  that  we  have  in  him,  that  if  we  ask  anything, 
according  to  his  will,  he  heareth  us.  And  if  we  know  that 
he  heareth  us,  we  know  that  we  have  the  petitions  that  we 
desired  of  him."  1  John  v.  14, 15.  Oh  inexhaustible  trea- 
sury of  riches,  every  petition  for  our  good  answered  in  the 
best  way  by  infinite  wisdom  and  love  !  What  more  or 
greater  reward  of  jtrayer  than  this  sweet  assurance  which 
our  God  has  given  to  us  !  How  well  St.  James  charges 
each  in  want.  "  Let  him  ask  of  God,  that  givetli  to  all 
men  (do  notice  that  full  word  all)  liberally  and  upbraideth 
not ;  and  it  shall  be  given  him."  James  i.  5. 


ON  PRAYER. 


331 


A  further  reward  is  salvation.  Yes,  nothing  less  than 
salvation  is  connected  with  true  and  persevering  prayer. 
"  Whosoever  shall  call  on  the  name  oFthe  Lord  shall  be 
saved."  Rom.  x.  13.  And  how  large  and  full  is  that  one  gra- 
cious reward,  salvation  !  what  present  blessings  in  pardon, 
justification,  adoption,  sanctification,  joy  and  heavenly- 
mindedness !  What  future  blessings,  in  goodness  and 
mercy  following  us  all  our  days,  and  in  a  happy  death  ! 
What  eternal  blessings  on  reaching  the  paradise,  where  the 
spirits  of  the  just  are  ;  in  the  resurrection  to  glory  at  our 
Lord's  return  ;  in  reigning  with  him  in  his  kingdom  !  Only 
call  on  the  Lord,  and  all  these  things  are  your's. 

The  reward  of  prayer  in  trouble  is  very  great ;  nothing 
less  than  real  deliverance  from  trouble  ;  not  indeed 
in  all  cases,  as  St.  Paul's  thorn  in  the  flesh  may  teach  us, 
the  actual  removal  of  the  affliction  itself  ;  but  the  far 
higher  blessing  of  glorying  in  the  trouble,  from  its  blessed 
effects,  and  of  taking  pleasure  in  it  that  the  power  of  Christ 
may  rest  upon  us.  But  in  very  many  cases,  let  the  expe- 
rienced Christian  judge,  the  trouble  itself  through  prayer 
will  be  wholly  removed,  and  only  furnish  a  rich  occasion 
of  praise  and  thanksgiving  to  our  God.  Psalm  xlvi.  1  ;  1. 15. 
Isaiah  xxvi.  IG.  1  Kings  xxi.  19.  1  John  i.  9.  Let 
every  troubled  soul  perseveringly  try  this  method.  God 
is  faithful  and  will  not  disappoint  them. 

Peace  of  God  within  is  the  present  fruit  of  prayer. 
The  apostle  Paul  immediately  connects  the  direction  "  in 
every  thing  by  prayer  and  supplication  with  thanksgiving, 
let  your  requests  be  made  known  unto  God,"  with  the 
promise,  "  And  the  peace  of  God,  which  passeth  all  under- 
standing, shall  keep  your  hearts  and  minds  in  Christ 
Jesus."  Phil.  iv.  6,  7.  The  apostle  immediately  connects 
"  casting  all  your  care  upon  hinn,"  with  the  sweet  assur- 
ance, "  for  he  careth  for  you."  1  Peter  v,  7.  And  when 
is  our  spirit  calm  and  heavenly,  when  are  our  hopes  of 
glory  brightened,  when  is  all  within  at  peace,  but  after 
communing  with  our  God  in  prayer  ? 

Usefulness  to  others  is  a  further  reward  of  prayer. 


332 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


And  this  is  a  seed  of  all  othei's  most  productive  of  future 
glory.  Dan.  xii.  3.  Phil.  ii.  16.  1  Thess.  ii.  19.  Who 
will  be  found  to  be  most  really  useful  to  the  souls  of  others  ? 
Will  it  not  be  the  men  of  most  intercessory  prayer  ?  See 
Daniel,  chapter  ix.  Search  through  David's  Psalms,  or 
Paul's  Epistles,  and  see  what  men  of  prayer  they  were. 
They  were  men  also  of  great  activity  and  energy,  but  it 
had  all  its  secret  vigour  and  strength  and  effect  in  their 
being  eminently  men  of  prayer.  While  great  active  exer- 
tion without  prayer  may  be  so  blighted  and  wither  as  to 
come  to  very  little  real  usefulness,  an  effort  springing  from 
and  carried  on  by  prayer  has  Omnipotence  on  its  side. 

Once  more,  it  is  the  preparation  for  seeing  God 
HEREAFTER,  and  dwelling  in  his  presence  for  ever.  We 
see  him  now  by  faith  ;  we  go  to  him  now  by  believing 
prayer  ;  and  this  makes  us  more  and  more  to  delight  in 
him  and  to  be  like  him,  and  gains  for  us  more  and  more  of 
that  purity  of  heart  to  which  the  promise  is  made,  "  they 
shall  see  God  ;  "  as  well  as  that  "  holiness,  without  which 
no  man  shall  see  the  Lord."  Heb.  xii.  Access  then,  to 
God's  presence  on  earth,  is  the  way  of  access  to  God's  pre- 
sence in  glory,  "  when  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is." 

Prayer  for  fervency  in  Prayer. 

O  thou  gracious  Father,  who  hath  joined  so  many  and 
such  great  benefits  to  prayer,  may  I  never  luse  them  by 
slightly  attending,  or  carelessly  going  through  such  an  im- 
portant work.  Give  me  the  effectual  fervent  prayer  of  the 
righteous  man  which  availeth  much,  that  I  may  be  blessed 
in  prayer,  according  to  thy  gracious  purposes  and  pro- 
mises, for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 


ON  PRAISE. 


333 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

ON  PRAISE. 

1.  The  privilege  of  praise — 2.  Helps  given  to  enjoy  it — 3.  Its  everlasting 
blessedness. 

1.  THE  PRIVILEGE  OF  PRAISE. 

"  In  every  thing  give  thanks,  for  this  is  the  will  of  God  in 
Christ  Jesus  concerning  you."  1  Thess.  v.  10.  Such  is 
the  gracious  command  of  our  heavenly  Father.  And  it  is 
a  command  full  of  true  wisdom  as  well  as  of  vast  love. 
Mysterious  as  it  may  seem,  there  is  ample  reason  why  we 
should  in  every  thing  give  thanks  ;  for  as  there  is  nothing 
that  can  happen  to  a  Christian  whicli  will  not  furnish  to 
him  some  ground  of  praise  ;  so  the  command  to  praise  in 
every  thing  allows  us,  yes,  requires  us  to  look  at  the  bright 
side  of  every  thing,  and  to  live  in  the  constant  sunshine  of 
divine  love.  Oh,  happy  command  ;  let  us  seek  ever  to 
realise  the  full  joy  which  it  is  designed  to  give.  We  need 
not  fear  that  the  command  does  not  contain  all  that  it 
appears  to  express,  for  it  is  one  repeated  again  and  again. 
"  Giving  thanks  always  for  all  things  unto  God  and  the 
Father,  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus."  Ephes.  v.  26. 
"  Whatsoever  ye  do  in  word  or  deed,  do  all  in  the  name  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  giving  thanks  unto  God  and  the  Father 
by  him."    Col.  iii.  17.    See  also  Heb.  xiii.  1.5. 

The  privilege,  observe,  is  ever  connected  with  Christ 
Jesus;  for  it  is  only  through  him  that  every  thing  becomes 
a  real  blessing  to  us  sinners.    Without  him  all  is  darkness 


834 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


and  miseiy,  glooiu  and  death  ;  with  him  all  is  light  and 
life,  joy  and  happiness.  When  we  belong  to  Christ,  all 
things  belong  to  us.  Thus  the  apostle  states  it,  "  All  things 
are  yours  ;  whether  Paul,  or  ApoUos,  or  Cephas,  or  the 
world,  or  life,  or  death,  or  things  present,  or  things  to 
come,  all  are  yours,  and  j-e  are  Christ's  ;  and  Christ  is 
God's."    1  Cor.  iii.  21—23. 

Believing  then  in  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  loving  him,  all 
things  are  working  for  my  good  ;  and  there  is  not  a  trial 
or  a  benefit,  a  trouble  or  a  joy,  a  loss  or  a  gain,  a  labour 
or  a  rest  from  labour,  but  I  may  see  the  love  of  God  to  my 
soul  in  it,  and  truly  praise  him  for  all.  He  "  performeth 
all  things  for  me  ;  "  all  my  times  are  in  his  hands  :  all  is 
ordained  and  directed  and  conies  and  goes  according  to  the 
counsels  of  his  wisdom  and  love  ;  the  fiery  trial  is  to  purify  ; 
the  loss  of  earthly  things  is  to  wean  me  from  this  world 
and  endear  to  me  heavenly  things  ;  the  worst  things  are  a 
preparation  for  the  best. 

A  spirit  of  praise  is  a  spirit  of  happiness.  Never  are 
we  more  joyful  than  in  giving  thanks  from  the  heart  to 
our  God.  Hence  we  find  joy  and  praise  so  frequently 
combined  together  :  for  praise  is  the  natural  ovei-fiow  of  joy, 
and  the  very  voice  of  inward  happiness.  Psalm  xxxi.  1. 
Psalm  cxlvii.  1.  It  is  the  outburst  of  a  full  heart  that 
cannot  be  silent.  In  this  fulness  of  feeling  how  many  of 
David's  Psalms  of  Praise  begin  :  as  if  he  could  no  longer 
contain  the  fulness  of  his  joy  and  gnititude.  And  indeed, 
when  we  consider  what  great  things  the  Lord  has  done  for 
us,  and  what  compassion  he  has  had  upon  us,  visiting  us 
in  our  low  estate,  and  raising  us  from  such  a  scene  of 
darkness  and  degradation  as  that  in  which  we  were  by 
nature  lying,  calling  "  us  out  of  darkness  into  his  marvel- 
lous light,"  on  purpose  "  to  shew  forth  his  praises,"  let 
these  tilings  be  seen  and  felt,  and  the  blessings  bestowed 
and  the  inward  feelings  excited,  must  have  vent  in  the 
privilege  of  praise  ;  "  for  out  of  the  fulness  of  the  heart  the 
mouth  speaketh." 

It  is  the  privilege  of  praise  to  glorify  God.    It  is  the 


ON  PRAISE. 


335 


very  posture  of  spirit  in  which  every  creature  of  God  ought 
to  be,  honouring  his  wisdom,  his  righteousness,  his  holy 
will,  and  his  loving-kindness,  "  Whoso  offereth  praise, 
glorifieth  me."  Psalm  1.  23.  What  attribute  of  our  God 
does  not  praise  glorify  ?  It  glorifies  his  power  as  the  maker 
and  continuer  of  all  good  ;  it  glorifies  his  wisdom  in  the 
varied  kinds  of  good  ;  it  glorifies  his  bountj'  in  the  unceas- 
ing flow  of  this  good  ;  it  glorifies  his  righteousness,  that 
through  Jesus  this  good  can,  by  his  sufferings,  be  given  us  ; 
it  glorifies  the  riches  of  his  grace  and  mercy,  in  good  coming 
to  tlie  unworthy.  And  what  higher  privilege  can  there  be 
for  us,  than  thus  before  all  creation  to  testify  his  love  ;  to 
be  the  priests  of  the  earth  and  all  that  is  therein,  offering 
intelligent  praise  to  tlie  Fatlier  of  mercies,  and  the  God  of 
all  comfort  ?  Amidst  all  the  murmuring  and  disputing, 
complaining  and  bitterness  of  spirit  in  the  world,  what  a 
privilege  God  confers  upon  that  man  who  glorifies  him  by 
giving  him  thanks  in  every  thing  :  and  who  speaks  thus, 
again  and  again,  with  a  constant  voice,  the  delightful  truth, 
God  is  love — God  is  love,  in  every  thing. 

Prayer  for  a  thankfvl  spirit. 

Who  can  open,  0  blessed  Saviour,  my  closed  affections  ? 
who  can  enlarge  my  narrow  heart  but  thyself  1  What  can 
change  my  selfish  spirit  into  love  and  gratitude,  but  thy 
love  to  me  ?  Reveal  thyself,  then,  more  and  more,  with 
all  the  Father's  love  and  all  the  Spirit's  grace,  that  my 
heart  being  filled  with  the  sense  of  divine  love,  my  soul 
may  constantly  abound  in  grateful  thanksgivings,  and  my 
life  shew  forth  thy  praise,  for  thy  name's  sake. 

2.  HELP  GIVEN  TO  ENJOY  PRAISE. 

May  our  eyes  be  opened  to  see  the  abundant  help  pro- 
vided for  us  in  the  gospel  ;  that  if  we  have  in  every  thing 
to  give  thanks,  every  thing  rightly  viev/ed  is  really  a  help 
to  thanksgiving. 

To  nothing  are  we  more  called  by  the  daily  providence 


336 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


of  God  than  to  praise.  "  Thou  makest  the  outgoings  of 
the  morning  and  of  the  evening  to  rejoice  or  to  sing." 
Psalm  Ixv.  8.  Everj'  fresh  morning's  light,  and  every 
evening's  rest  ;  every  breath  of  air  and  every  ray  of  light ; 
every  article  of  clothing  and  every  morsel  of  food  ;  every 
limb  and  every  sense  ;  eveiy  faculty  of  mind,  ■will,  under- 
standing, memory,  and  affection  ;  these  are  continually 
presenting  calls  on  us  to  praise  God  and  to  magnify  his 
name.  "  All  his  works  in  all  places  of  his  dominion  "  re- 
verberate the  sound,  "Praise  ye  the  Lord."  All  our  health 
and  comforts,  our  family  and  relatives,  our  servants  or  our 
masters,  our  friends,  our  social  circle,  our  country  and  its 
peace  and  freedom,  what  help  here  is  to  praise  ! 

Yes  !  but  are  there  not  sorrows  and  troubles  mingled 
with  these  things  ?  There  are,  and  if,  "  being  justified  by 
faith,  we  have  peace  with  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  rejoice  in  hope  of  the  glory  of  God,"  you  can 
go  farther  still  and  say,  "  we  glory  in  tribulation  also." 
Oh  !  many  a  Christian  has  thanked  God  with  tears  of  joy 
for  his  sorrowing  hours,  and  testified  from  the  heart,  "  in 
ver\'  faithfulness  thou  hast  afHicted  me." 

But  OUR  SINS  !  they  are  our  deepest  evils  ;  in  themselves 
nnmingled  evil,  and  to  be  abhorred  with  intense  hatred. 
Yet  the  Christian  will  not  forget  that  they  have  been  over- 
come with  good,  and  have  given  occasion  for  the  richest 
display  of  loving-kindness.  When  he  looks  at  his  sins,  his 
notes  of  praise  will  be  heightened  to  an  infinitely  greater 
fulness  than  could  otherwise  have  been  attained.  This 
made  Paul  so  magnify  the  grace  of  God  given  to  him. 
This  makes  the  believer  exclaim — Why  have  I  been 
spared  ?  Why  am  I  not  consumed  ?  It  is  all  of  the  Lord's 
mercies ! 

Then  how  these  mercies,  in  all  the  richness  and  fulness 
of  gospel  grace,  furnish  helps  for  thanksgiving  I  Where 
shall  we  begin  1  Where  shall  we  end  ?  His  loving-kind- 
ness is  from  everlasting  to  everlasting.  What  an  unspeak- 
able gift  ;  "  not  to  spare  his  own  Son,  but  to  deliver  hini 
HO  for  us  all ! "    Surely  no  words  can  adequately  describe. 


ON  PRAISE. 


337 


no  mind  can  adequately  conceive,  the  amazinq;  extent  of 
God's  love  to  man,  in  the  gift  of  gifts,  the  gift  of  his  Son. 

And  then  with  him  what  blessings  come  !  The  gift  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  in  us  ;  what  enlarged  love  is  the  love  of 
the  Spirit !  The  varied  spiritual  blessings  in  heavenly 
things  in  Christ  Jesus  :  the  varied  means  of  grace,  and  the 
hope  of  glory  to  follow.  It  is  a  boundless,  ceaseless, 
everlasting  tide  of  goodness,  utterly  inexhaustible  through 
eternity. 

And  yet  farther,  to  give  us  the  full  knowledge  of  the 
things  which  are  freely  given  to  us  of  God,  there  are  out- 
ward and  inward  spiritual  helps  for  our  praise  and  thanks- 
giving. 

There  is  first  the  word  of  god,  which  is  a  key  to  every 
thing,  unlocking  its  real  meaning  and  setting  it  forth  in 
its  true  light,  as  manifesting  God's  wise  and  holy  love  to 
man.  There  is  a  growing  light  of  love,  more  and  more 
dispelling  the  darkness  of  sin,  however  it  may  advance  in 
the  multiplication  of  human  beings  and  their  increased 
wickedness,  overcoming  the  stubbornness  of  evil,  and  at 
length  issuing  in  the  return  of  Christ  to  our  earth  made 
new,  and  in  his  dwelling  here  for  ever.  Rev.  xxi.  1 — 4. 

The  Bible  is  full  of  helps  to  thanksgiving.  One  cannot 
read  it  seriously  without  having  a  spirit  of  thankfulness 
called  forth  by  the  various  truths  and  facts  which  it  men- 
tions. But  especially  the  example  of  holy  men,  and  their 
thanksgivings  and  hymns  of  praise,  should  stir  us  up  as 
effectual  helps  to  praise.  The  whole  book  of  Psalms, 
written  by  the  inspired  man  after  God's  own  heart,  is  full 
of  praises,  and  how  oft  repeated  the  wish,  "  Oh,  that  men 
would  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness,  and  for  his  won- 
derful works  to  the  children  of  men.  Let  them  sacrifice 
the  sacrifices  of  thanksgiving,  and  declare  his  works  with 
rejoicing."  Psalm  cvii.  Who  can  in  a  right  mind  read 
such  Psalms  as  the  ciii.  civ.  cxlv.  and  the  whole  remain- 
ing Psalms  to  the  close,  without  having  grateful  feelings 
called  forth  ?  It  is  a  real  help  to  praising  God  to  practise 
this  duty  in  your  families.    Use  and  practice  make  praise 


338 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


easy.  Oh,  did  but  all  families  even  that  worship  God 
morning  and  evening,  try  more  to  introduce  praise  as  well 
as  prayer,  the  singing  of  Psalms  as  well  as  the  reading  of 
the  scriptures,  how  much  would  the  volume  of  holy  praise 
daily  ascending  to  our  God  be  enlarged  through  our  coun- 
try !  The  Lord's  day  seems  especially  to  call  for  psalms 
and  hymns  of  praise  as  the  most  suitable  and  happy  im- 
provement of  its  sacred  hours. 

Prayer  to  God  is  however  needful  for  an  enlarged 
heart  in  praise.  So  David  found  it :  he  prays,  "  0  Lord, 
open  thou  my  lips,  and  my  mouth  shall  shew  forth  thy 
praise."  Psalm  li.  15.  And  so  we,  wearied  and  burdened 
with  temptation  and  sin  and  the  inward  conflict,  shall  find 
we  must  pray  to  be  able  to  praise,  as  well  as  praise  to  be 
able  to  pray. 

The  inward  effectual  help  is  the  Holy  Spirit,  who,  in 
accomplishing  all  his  gracious  work,  fulfils  the  promise 
which  our  Lord  made,  "  He  shall  glorify  me,  for  he  shall 
receive  of  mine  and  shall  shew  it  unto  you."  And  in  the 
view  of  this  aid,  St.  Paul  tells  us  to  abound  in  praise  :  "  Be 
filled  with  the  Spirit,  speaking  to  yourselves  in  psalms  and 
hymns  and  spiritual  songs,  singing  and  making  melody  in 
your  hearts  to  the  Lord,  giving  thanks  always."  Ephes.  v. 
18—20. 

Prayer  for  an  ei'darged  view  of  God^s  mercies. . 
Lord  God  of  my  salvation,  pity  my  most  sinful  blind- 
ness and  hard-heartedness,  that  surrounded  as  I  am  with 
thy  goodness,  I  have  so  often  refused  to  see  and  acknow- 
ledge thy  loving-kindness.  Shed  abroad,  I  entreat  thee, 
thy  love  in  my  heart,  by  thine  own  Spirit  ;  teach  me  the 
things  thou  hast  freely  given,  enlighten  the  eyes  of  my 
understanding  that  I  may  know  what  is  the  hope  of  thy 
calling,  and  enlarge  my  confidence  of  heart  in  thee,  that  I 
may  see  love  in  all  thy  dealings  with  me,  through  Jesus, 
my  Redeemer. 

3.  ITS  EVERLASTING  BLESSEDNESS. 

It  may  well  heighten  our  view  of  the  excellence  of  praise 


ON  PRAISE. 


339 


to  consider  that  it  is  the  chief  joy  and  occupation  of  the 
heavenly  and  glorified  hosts  above.  Whenever  the  doors 
of  the  heavenly  kingdom  are  as  it  were  open  to  us,  and  a 
sight  is  given  to  us,  of  the  employment  of  the  blessed  in- 
habitants of  those  glorious  mansions,  we  find  that  this  is 
their  work.  TIius,  Isaiah,  when  he  saw  the  glory  of  the 
Lord,  heard  the  songs  of  Seraphim,  "  and  one  cried  unto 
another,  and  said.  Holy,  holy,  lioly  is  the  Lord  of  hosts, 
the  whole  earth  is  full  of  his  glory."  Thus,  John,  when 
the  door  was  opened  in  heaven,  heard  the  new  song  of  the 
four  living  creatures  and  the  four-and-twenty  elders, 
having  every  one  of  them  harps,  and  golden  vials  full  of 
odours. — "  Thou  art  worthy  to  take  the  book,  and  to  open 
the  seals  thereof,  for  thou  wast  slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us 
to  God  by  thy  blood,  out  of  every  kindred  and  tongue,  and 
people,  and  nation,  and  hast  made  us  unto  our  God  kings 
and  priests,  and  we  shall  reign  on  the  earth."  He  heard 
also  the  angelic  song  from  the  angels  round  about  the 
throne,  the  number  of  whom  was  ten  thousand  times  ten 
thousand  and  thousands  of  thousands  ;  and  they  too  were 
occupied  in  the  same  way  ;  they  were  "  saying  with  a 
loud  voice,  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  to  receive 
power,  and  riches,  and  wisdom,  and  sti-ength,  and  honour, 
and  glory,  and  blessing."  Rev.  v.  9 — 12.  So  the  great 
multitude  which  no  man  can  number,  gathered  out  of  the 
great  tribulation,  are  described  as  "  standing  before  the 
throne  and  before  the  Lamb,  clothed  with  white  robes, 
and  ci-ying  with  a  loud  voice.  Salvation  to  our  God, 
wliich  sitteth  upon  the  throne,  and  unto  the  Lamb." 
Rev.  vii. 

The  chief  command  that  we  read  of  as  given  to  the  hea- 
venly hosts,  is  praise.  "  A  voice  came  out  of  the  throne 
saying,  Praise  our  God,  all  ye  his  servants,  and  ye  thatfear 
liim,  both  small  and  great."  And  with  what  joyful  alacrity 
that  command  (inviting  to  the  fullest  privilege  and  the 
highest  joy)  is  obeyed,  may  be  seen  in  what  follows  :  "  And 
I  heard  as  it  were  the  voice  of  a  great  multitude,  and  as 
the  voice  of  many  waters,  and  as  the  voice  of  mighty 

z  2 


340 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


thunderings,  saying,  Hallelujah,  for  the  Lord  God  omni- 
potent reigneth,  let  us  be  glad  and  rejoice,  and  give  honour 
unto  him."  Rev.  xix.  5,  6. 

This  is  the  highest  glory  of  man  to  see  and  know  God, 
and  praise  him  unceasingly  for  all  his  excellent  greatness. 
If  searching  into  the  works  of  God,  or  into  the  creatures 
of  God,  and  their  doings,  and  a  deep  knowledge  of  these 
things  be  thought  honourable,  how  excellent  must  it  be 
rightly  to  know  the  Creator  and  rightly  to  celebrate  his 
praises  ! 

The  very  end  of  all  creation  is  to  glorify  God,  and  of  in- 
telligent creation  to  glorify  him,  and  enjoy  him  for  ever. 
"  0  praise  him  therefore  for  his  mighty  acts,  praise  him 
according  to  his  excellent  greatness."  Psalm  cl.  2. 

It  is  the  completion  of  all  heavenly  graces  :  faith  is 
realized  in  sight,  hope  becomes  enjoyment,  love  has  full 
fruition  of  the  beloved  object,  when  in  his  presence  we 
come  to  praise  him  for  ever.  There  is  unceasing  gratitude, 
there  is  rapturous  communion,  there  is  fulness  of  joy,  and 
that  for  evermore.  "  The  ransomed  of  the  Lord  shall 
come  to  Zion  with  songs,  and  everlasting  joy  upon  their 
heads." 

It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  we  only  find  Hallelujah  in 
the  New  Testament,  at  the  close,  (Rev.  xix.)  when,  as  it 
is  believed,  the  Jews  will  have  been  brought  in.  The  last 
and  the  perpetual  song  of  the  church  united  and  trium- 
phant, is  when  Jew  and  Gentile  make  the  heavenly  man- 
sions resound  with  the  mighty  thunderings  of  their  Halle- 
lujahs. May  you  and  I,  Christian  reader,  partake  of 
them. 

Meditation. 

When  shall  it  ever  be  ?  When  shall  this  time  of  full 
blessedness  and  glory  really  arrive  I  Now  I  am  in  the  land 
of  darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death  ;  afar  off  from  God, 
my  exceeding  joy.  When  shall  this  body  of  death  be  laid 
aside,  and  the  seeing  through  the  mirror  and  in  the  figure, 
be  exchanged  for  seeing  face  to  face,  and  knowing  in  part, 


ON  PRAISE. 


341 


for  knowing  as  I  am  known,  and  the  cold  faltering  Halle- 
lujahs of  earth,  be  turned  into  the  fervent  and  rapturous 
Hallelujahs  of  heaven,  and  the  conflict  be  changed  for  the 
victory  ;  and  the  tears  of  sorrow  for  the  songs  of  joy  : 
and  the  struggles  with  corruption  and  flesh  and  blood, 
terminate  in  the  spiritual  and  glorified  body,  and  the 
perfect  likeness  to  my  Saviour's  image  !  Lord  !  help  me 
more  and  more  to  look  at  the  joy  set  before  me,  and  in  the 
blessed  hope  of  that  joy,  like  my  Saviour,  to  take  up  my 
cross  daily,  and  follow  him.^ 


342 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THE  CREED,  TEN  COMMANDMENTS,  AND  LORD's  PRAYER. 

1.  Meditations  on  the  Apostles'  Creed — 2.  Meditations  on  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments—3.  The  Lord's  Prayer,  with  Practical  Remarks. 

1.  MEDITATIONS  ON  THE  APOSTLEs'  CREED. 

Mark  ix.  2.3.  "  Jesus  said  unto  him,  If  tliou  canst  believe, 
all  things  are  possible  to  him  that  believeth.  And  straight- 
way the  father  of  the  child  cried  out,  and  said  with  tears. 
Lord,  I  believe,  help  thou  mine  unbelief." 

THE  CREED. 

I.  I  believe  in  God,  the  Father  Almighty,  Maker  of  hea- 
ven and  earth.  II.  And  in  Jesus  Clirist,  his  only  Son, 
our  Lord.  III.  Who  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
born  of  the  Virgin  Mary.  IV.  Suffered  under  Pontius 
Pilate,  was  crucified,  dead  and  buried  :  he  descended  into 
hell.  V.  The  third  day  he  rose  again  from  the  dead.  VI. 
He  ascended  into  heaven,  and  sitteth  on  the  right  hand 
of  God  the  Father  Almighty.  VII.  From  thence  he 
shall  come  to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead.  VIII.  I  be- 
lieve in  the  Holy  Ghost.  IX.  The  holy  Catholic  church, 
the  communion  of  saints.  X.  The  forgiveness  of  sins. 
XI.  The  resurrection  of  the  body.  XII.  And  the  life  ever- 
lasting. Amen. 

Creed  is  derived  from  a  Latin  word,  meaning  belief.  The 
Apostles'  Creed  has  its  name  from  its  containing  the  doc- 
trine of  the  apostles,  rather  than  because  it  was  formed  by 


ON  THE  APOSTLES  CREED. 


343 


them.  There  is  not  at  least  sufficient  evidence  of  its  being 
composed  by  them,  to  be  satisfactory  ;  though  there  is  much 
reason  to  think  that  Christians  had  a  general  confession  of 
faith,  very  similar  to  this,  under  apostolic  sanction.  As 
our  Lord  required  baptism  to  be  administered  "  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy 
Ghost ;  "  so  the  Ethiopian  Eunuch,  before  his  baptism, 
confessed,  "  I  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of 
God  ;"  and  hence  before  baptism,  there  was  generally  a 
confession  of  faith  from  the  baptized.  Several  of  the  ar- 
ticles of  this  creed  are  stated  together  by  St.  Paul.  1  Cor. 
XV.  1 — 4,  &c. 

There  were  several  similar  earl}-  creeds  somewhat  vary- 
ing from  this,  as  we  see  in  early  Christian  writings  ;  but 
about  the  fourth  century,  what  we  call  the  Apostles'  Creed, 
became  generally  adopted  in  the  Christian  church,  as  a  most 
scriptural  and  comprehensive  summary  of  the  great  facts 
of  Christianity,  on  which  all  its  doctrines  are  founded,  and 
by  which  the  soul  may  be  led  to  the  most  profitable  me- 
ditations. 

It  is  sometimes  wrongly  used  by  the  poor  as  if  it  were  a 
daily  'prayer.  But  as  a  daily  help  to  meditation,  the  great 
reformer  Luther,  and  many  others,  have  used  it,  and  found 
excellent  assistance  through  it,  for  the  contemplation  of  all 
the  great  mysteries  of  the  gospel. 

1  BELIEVE. 

"  Faith  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for,  the  evidence 
of  things  not  seen."  Heb.  xi.  Faith  is  not  therefore  needed 
to  discern  and  apprehend  what  is  seen  or  felt  by  the  out- 
ward senses,  though  all  outward  things  may  help  us  to 
know  and  discover  the  invisible  God.  Nor  is  it  anything 
that  a  supei'ior  natural  understanding  may  discover  in  sci- 
ence that  is  the  proper  exercise  of  faith. 

Faith  has  to  do  with  what  God  designs  us  to  learn  as  the 
real  and  holy  lesson  of  all  creation  and  all  Providence,  that 
"God  is,  and  is  the  rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek 
him  ;  "  that  he  is  kind  to  the  evil  and  to  the  good,  as  well 


S44 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


as  righteous  in  all  his  doing-s,  designing  by  this  goodness  to 
lead  tliem  to  seek  after  hini.  And  more  especially,  faith 
regards  all  that  God  has  said  in  his  word  as  altogether  true. 
The  Bible  itself  is  manifested  to  the  believer  as  really  his 
word  by  its  own  holy  light  and  purifying  and  comforting 
power,  as  well  as  by  the  way  in  which  it  was  revealed  and 
confirmed,  and  has  been  handed  down  to  us,  as  the  word  of 
the  living  God. 

0  Lord,  give  me  this  faith.  Thy  word  is  the  sure 
ground  of  my  belief,  and  I  am  in  my  heart  fully  per- 
suaded on  the  testimony  of  that  word  of  the  things  con- 
tained in  this  Creed  which  I  now  confess  with  niy  mouth. 
May  my  faith  ever  be  such  as  to  make  them  a  reality 
in  my  mind  and  heart  ;  and  a  constant  spring  of  holy 
and  heavenly  thoughts,  affections,  and  actions,  through  my 
whole  life. 

I  BELIEVE  IN  GOD  

That  there  is  one  living  and  true  God,  who  is  a  Spirit, 
ever  righteous  and  gracious,  the  source  and  beginner  of  all 
other  beings,  and  on  whom  they  all  depend  ;  so  that  I  am 
not  left  desolate  in  the  world  without  an  infinitely  wise, 
holy,  mighty,  ever  present,  and  most  merciful  Being,  who 
governs,  provides  for,  and  orders  everytliing  for  good  to 
them  that  trust  in  him  and  love  him.  0  Lord,  ever  help 
me  to  have  child-like  confidence  in  thee,  and  to  love,  de- 
light in,  and  magnify  thee,  as  my  own  God  and  portion, 
for  ever. 

THE  FATHER. 

1  believe  God  to  be  not  only  the  Father  of  all  things  by 
creation,  but  also  the  Father  of  his  only-begotten  Son  from 
eternity,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  his  Son  in  such  a 
peculiar  sense  as  to  be  equal  with  God.  John  i.  18  ;  v.  18. 

Through  Jesus  Christ  I  also  believe  God  to  be  my  Father, 
not  only  as  creating  me,  but  also  as  begetting  me  anew  by 
his  own  Spirit,  and  adopting  me  into  his  family,  making 
me  a  partaker  of  the  divine  nature,  and  giving  me  the  pri- 


ON  THE  apostles'  CREED. 


345 


vilege  to  be  his  son,  and  being  full  of  fatherly  love  and  pity 
to  me.  Glory  for  ever  be  to  this  Father  for  his  love  to  me 
and  all  creation,  and  especially  for  that  surpassing  love  by 
which  he  calls  nie  his  son. 

ALMIGHTY. 

He  is  able  to  do  everything  according  to  his  own  good 
and  holy  will,  so  that  nothing  is  impossible  with  God. 
He  has  all  power  to  turn  away  evil  and  to  give  good.  "  I 
know  whom  I  have  believed,  and  I  am  persuaded  that  he 
is  able  to  keep  that  which  I  have  committed  unto  him 
against  that  day."  0  Lord,  "  glorious  in  holiness,  fearful 
in  praises,  doing  wonders,"  weak  in  myself,  I  would  lean 
on  thy  Almighty  arm  ;  may  I  love  thee,  trust  in  thee,  and 
rejoice  in  thee,  my  all-sufficient  Sun  and  Shield,  now  and 
evermore. 

MAKER  OF  HEAVEN  AND  EARTH. 

The  heavens  above  are  thy  work,  0  my  God  ;  whether  I 
regard  the  clouds  or  the  air,  where  "  the  fowls  fly  in  the 
midst  of  heaven  ; "  or  the  sun,  moon,  and  stars  of  the 
higher  heavens  ;  or  the  highest  and  third  heavens,  where 
Cherubim  and  Seraphim  and  all  the  heavenly  host  magnify 
thy  name  :  and  thy  Son  is  seated  at  thy  right  hand,  on 
thine  own  throne,  and  there  reigns  with  thee — all  were 
made  by  thee.  How  glorious  then  art  thou  !  Who  can  be 
against  us,  if  God  is  for  us  ?  Who  can  help  us,  if  God  be 
against  us '?  Thou,  even  thou,  art  Lord  alone,  "  thou  hast 
made  heaven,  the  heaven  of  heavens,  with  all  their  host, 
the  earth  and  all  things  that  are  therein,  and  thou  pre- 
servest  them  all."  Neh.  ix.  6.  Of  thee,  through  thee,  and 
to  thee,  "  are  all  things,  to  whom  be  glory  for  ever. 
Amen."  Rom.  xi.  3G.  All  that  thou  hast  made  is  good, 
yes,  altogether  good.  0  may  I  have  perfect  confidence  in 
thy  power  and  wisdom,  and  righteousness,  and  loving- 
kindness.  May  I  know  that  the  very  hairs  of  my  head  are 
numbered,  and  being  careful  for  nothing,  may  I,  through 


346 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Jesus  Christ,  constantly  rest  in  God,  as  my  Lord  and  my 
God,  for  ever. 

AND   IN  JESUS  CHRIST. 

How  great  and  good  is  the  name  of  Jesus!  Jehovah, 
my  Saviour,  What  word  can  be  more  full  of  holy  joy  and 
gladness  !  What  a  sweet  command  is  that  which  he  has 
given  ;  "  Ye  believe  in  God,  believe  also  in  me."  Oh,  I  do 
believe  in  thee,  Jesus,  thou  Son  of  God.  I  was  dead,  and 
thou  hast  given  me  life  ;  I  was  lost  and  thou  didst  find  me. 
I  was  an  enemy  of  God,  and  thou  hast  reconciled  me.  I 
am  sinful,  and  thou  art  my  advocate.  Oh,  no  tongue  can 
tell  my  obligations  to  thee  ! 

And  in  Christ,  one  anointed  in  holy  offices  for  my  good, 
I  have  farther  blessings.  I  have  a  Prophet  to  teach  and 
instruct  me  in  the  things  of  God.  I  have  a  High  Priest  to 
intercede  for  me,  and  obtain  every  good.  I  have  a  King  to 
rule  over  all  things  for  the  good  of  his  church. 

O  my  God,  give  me  a  simple  trust  in  all  that  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  is,  and  in  all  that  he  has  done  for  my  salva- 
tion !  May  it  be  my  great  aim  to  "  win  Christ  and  be 
found  in  him,  not  having  mine  own  righteousness  which  is 
of  the  law,  but  that  which  is  through  the  faith  of  Christ, 
the  righteousness  which  is  of  God  by  faith  ;  "  being  fully 
persuaded  that  thou  hast  appointed  him  to  be  "  the  Saviour 
of  the  world,"  and  that  he  is  both  able  and  willing  and  gra- 
cious to  be  my  Saviour.  Draw  me  to  him,  and  give  me  a 
joyful  heart  to  welcome  and  receive  him. 

HIS  ONLY  SON. 

How  precious  and  delightful  is  the  Godhead  of  Jesus, 
and  the  glorious  truth  that "  in  him  dwelleth  all  the  fulness 
of  the  Godhead,"  bodily.  Col.  ii.  9.  He  had  "  glory  with 
the  Fatlier,  before  the  world  was."  John  xvii.  .5.  "  By 
him  God  made  the  worlds."  He  is  "the  brightness  of  his 
glory  and  the  express  image  of  his  person."  Heb.  i.  2,  3. 
As  man,  created  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  he  was 
called  "  Son  of  God  ;  "  but  besides  this,  he  is  his  only  Son. 


ON  THE  apostles'  CREED. 


347 


"  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only-begotten 
Son,"  the  only  one  by  nature,  equal  with  him,  (Phil.  ii.  5 
— 9.)  "whose  goings  forth  have  been  from  of  old,  from 
everlasting."  Micah  v.  3.  And  being  God's  oxly  Son,  he 
delights  that  we  should  share  his  blessings  and  glories  ;  "  if 
the  Son  shall  make  you  free,  ye  shall  be  free  indeed."  All 
praise,  and  love  and  glory  be  to  the  God  and  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  the  only  and  eternally  begotten 
Son  of  God, 

OUR  LORD. 

What  a  glory  to  have  such  a  Lord  and  Master,  and  to  be 
in  his  service,  which  is  perfect  freedom  !  Well  may  I  know 
he  is  my  Lord,  and  the  Lord  of  all  men,  seeing  "  all  things 
were  made  by  him,  and  without  him  was  not  any  thing- 
made  that  was  made."  lie  has  bought  us  with  his  blood  ; 
and  I  am  enlisted  by  baptism  into  his  service,  and  have 
confirmed  my  engagements  at  his  table  in  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per. He  tells  me,  "  Ye  say  well  when  ye  call  me  Lord." 
John  xiii,  13.  Oh,  may  I  have  grace  given  me  to  follow 
in  his  steps,  and  daily  be  made  more  like  him.  He,  too,  is 
"  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords  ;  "  and  for  ever  blessed 
be  his  name,  soon  "  every  knee  shall  bow  to  him,"  and 
every  "  tongue  confess  that  he  is  Lord,  to  the  glory  of  God 
the  Father." 

WHO  WAS  CONCEIVED  BY  THE  HOLY  GHOST. 

O  how  amazing  thy  condescension  and  love,  Divine  Re- 
deemer, that,  being  God  over  all,  i)lessed  for  ever,  thou,  the 
eternal  Word,  wast  made  flesh,  in  a  wonderful  manner  ;  by 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  so  as  to  partake  of  our  nature 
without  the  least  spot  of  sin.  And  that  we  might  be  sure 
of  this,  God  sent  his  angel  from  heaven  to  testify  this  thy 
grace  and  love  first  to  Mary,  and  also  to  testify  to  Joseph 
that  that  which  was  conceived  in  her  was  of  the  Holy 
Ghost.  What  was  thus  testified,  thy  whole  life  and  glori- 
ous miracles  of  mercy  confirmed.  Thou  only  of  all  the 
sons  of  men  wast  without  sin.    0  how  great  thy  grace, 


348 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


thou  everlasting  Son  of  the  Father,  that  when  thou  tookest 
upon  thee  to  deliver  man,  thou  didst  not  abhor  the  virgin's 
womb. 

BORN  OF  THE  VIRGIN  MARY. 

Thus  he  had  our  nature,  and  was  made  "  bone  of  our 
bone  and  flesh  of  our  flesh  :  "  that  he  might  recover  us 
from  our  ruin.  "  Forasmuch,  then,  as  the  children  are 
partakers  of  flesh  and  blood,  he  himself  likewise  took  part 
of  the  same,  that  through  death  he  might  destroy  him  that 
had  the  power  of  death,  that  is  the  devil ;  and  deliver  them 
who  through  fear  of  death  were  all  their  life-time  subject 
to  bondage."  Heb.  ii.  14, 15.  Thus  also  he  became  "  touched 
with  a  feeling  of  our  infirmities,"  having  been  "  in  all 
points  tempted  like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin."  0  won- 
derful and  mysterious  union  of  the  Godhead  and  manhood 
in  one  Christ !  Well  may  we  say,  "  Great  is  the  mystery 
of  godliness,  God  was  manifest  in  the  flesh." 

HE  SUFFERED  UNDER  PONTIUS  PILATE. 

The  whole  life  of  my  Redeemer  was  a  life  of  suffering  ; 
for  throughout  he  was  "  despised  and  rejected  of  men,  a 
man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  grief ; "  from  his 
early  circumcision  and  flight  into  Egypt  to  his  bitter  death. 
He  willingly  suffered  all  things  for  us,  but  after  his  un- 
known sutt'erings  as  marked  by  his  agon}'  in  the  garden, 
and  his  cry  on  the  cross,  his  greatest  known  suff"erings 
were  under  Pontius  Pilate,  the  Roman  governor  of  Judea  ; 
the  Jews  having  at  that,time  become  subject  to  the  Ro- 
mans, and  the  sceptre  having  departed  from  Judah,  Gen. 
xlix.  10.  Thus  the  exact  period  of  his  sufferings  in  the 
world's  history  is  fixed.  How  bitter  thy  agonies,  0  Christ  ! 
How  cruel  the  insults  and  mockeries  thou  enduredst  in 
being  spit  upon,  scourged,  and  crowned  with  thorns,  and 
derided  ;  all  which  things  thou,  my  Redeemer,  passed 
through  for  my  sake  !  May  I  ever  bear  in  mind  those 
painful  sufferings^  the  consequence  of  sin,  even  my  sin. 
May  I  hate  sin  with  intense  hatred,  while  I  love  my  Savi- 


ON  THE  apostles'  CREED. 


349 


our  with  most  fervent  love.  0  Jesus,  all  glory  be  to  thee, 
for  thy  sufferings  for  our  sins  ! 

WAS  CRUCIFIED. 

His  naked  body  was  fixed  to  the  tree,  and  his  arms  and 
his  feet  fastened  with  nails  to  it,  and  with  arms  extended 
wide,  as  if  in  his  very  death  to  signify  how  he  embraced 
the  whole  world,  he  hung  hour  after  hour  on  the  cross, 
reproached  and  scorned,  and  blasphemed  by  those  he  came 
to  save  ;  and  so,  bearing  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the 
tree,  he  put  away  our  sins  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself. 
There  he  "  was  made  a  curse  for  us  "  (Gal.  iii.  13),  "  the 
chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon  him,  and  with  his 
stripes  we  are  healed."  May  I  look  unto  the  pierced  Savi- 
our and  mourn  for  my  sins. 

0  Lord,  what  thee  tormented 
Was  my  sins'  heavy  load ; 

1  had  the  debt  augmented, 
Which  thou  didst  pay  in  blood. 

I  give  thee  thanks  unfeigned, 

O  Jesus,  friend  in  need  ! 
For  what  thy  soul  sustained, 
•  When  thou  for  me  didst  bleed. 

DEAD. 

lie,  though  the  Son  of  God,  really  and  truly  died  ;  his 
soul  was  separated  from  his  body,  and  his  body  left  with- 
out the  least  remains  of  life,  undergoing  for  us  the  wages 
of  our  sin,  which  is  death.  Thou  wast,  0  J esus,  "  brought 
as  a  lamb  to  the  slaughter  ;  thou  wast  slain  for  us,  and 
hast  redeemed  us  to  God  by  thy  blood."  All  glory  be  to 
thee.  And  besides  this  great  atonement  thus  made  for  our 
sins,  "  Christ  suffered  for  us,  leaving  us  an  example  that 
we  .should  follow  his  steps  :  who  did  no  sin,  neither  was 
guile  found  in  his  mouth."  All  praise  and  love  be  unto 
him. 

AND  BURIED, 

We  read,  they  laid  Jesus  in  a  new  sepulchre  in  the  gar- 


350 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


den,  wherein  was  no  .man  ever  yet  laid.  So  his  personal 
resurrection  was  more  assured,  and  so  the  grave  is  made, 

0  my  Saviour,  welcome  to  all  thy  followers  ;  for  in  their 
burial  they  are  only  conformed  to  thee,  their  Lord.  Since 
Jesus  my  Lord  died  and  was  laid  in  the  tomb,  I  will  fear 
no  evil  in  death  or  in  the  grave. 

HE  DESCENDED  INTO  HELL. 

By  hell  is  meant  here  not  the  place  of  torment,  but  the 
place  of  departed  spirits.  He  descended  into  the  lower 
parts  of  the  earth.  Eph.  iv.  9.  Quickened  by  the  Spirit, 
he  went  and  preached  to  the  spirits  in  prison.  1  Peter  iii. 
19.  He  appears  to  have  gone  to  the  place  of  departed 
spirits,  that  he  might  undergo  all  the  condition  of  a  dead 
man,  as  well  as  of  a  living  man,  and  give  his  people,  though 
separated  from  their  bodies,  assurance  of  their  resurrection 
at  the  last  day.  Praise,  and  love,  and  adoration  be  unto 
him  who  has  "  the  keys  of  death  and  hell,"  and  has  van- 
quished all  our  enemies. 

THE  THIRD  DAY  HE  ROSE  AGAIN  FROM  THE  DEAD. 

According  to  David's  prediction,  that  his  flesh  "  should 
not  see  corruption,  nor  his  soul  be  left  in  hell,"  and  accord- 
ing to  his  own  foreshewing,  that  the  third  day  he  should 
rise  again,  our  Redeemer  did  rise,  and  this  so  as  to  be  seen 
by  multitudes  of  witnesses  after  his  resurrection,  and  even 
by  five  hundred  brethren  at  once.  He  shewed  his  hands 
and  his  feet,  and  called  his  disciples  to  handle  him  and  see. 
Most  true  and  glorious,  and  unspeakably  beneficial  is  this 
fact.  He  "  rose  for  our  justification."  Rom.  iv.  25.  He 
rose  "  from  the  dead  as  the  first-fruits  of  them  that  slept." 

1  Cor.  XV.  23.  He  rose  as  our  head  and  representative  ;  as 
surely  as  he  rose,  so  surely  also  shall  all  that  believe  in  him 
rise  again  at  the  last  day.  And  in  spirit  even  now,  "  we 
are  risen  with  liim  through  faith  of  the  operation  of  God, 
who  raised  him  from  the  dead."  Col.  ii.  12.  Glory,  ever- 
lasting glory  be  to  my  risen  Lord  and  Saviour.  "Blessed 
be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who, 


ON  THE  apostles'  CREED. 


351 


according  to  his  abundant  mercy  hath  begotten  us  again, 
to  a  lively  hope,  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  from 
the  dead." 

HE  ASCENDED  INTO  HEAVEN. 

While  his  disciples  were  beholding  him,  he  was  taken 
up,  and  a  cloud  received  him  out  of  their  sight,  a  gracious 
earnest  of  that  coming  day  of  the  resurrection  of  the  saints, 
when,  after  the  dead  in  Christ  have  first  risen,  "  we  which 
are  alive  and  remain,  shall  be  caught  up  together  with  them 
in  the  clouds,  and  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air." 

He  is  gone  to  heaven,  thei-e  to  appear  in  God's  presence 
for  me  as  my  high  priest ;  there  he  intercedes  for  me,  there 
he  prepares  mansions  for  me,  thence  he  bestows  gifts  upon 
me,  and  thence  will  return  and  receive  me  unto  himself. 

How  joyfully  would  he  be  welcomed  there  by  tlie  hea- 
venly hosts  ;  and  how  widely  has  he  thus  opened  the  king- 
dom of  heaven  to  all  believers  ;  and  how  joyful  will  his 
return  be  to  his  faithful  followers  here  below  !  Thanks  be 
unto  him  for  evermore.  May  I  be  numbered  with  his 
people  ! 

AND  SITTETH  AT  THE  RIGHT  HAND  OF  GOD  THE  FATHER 
ALMIGHTY. 

That  is,  in  the  place  of  greatest  dignity,  power,  honour, 
and  glory  ;  and  on  his  Father's  throne,  adored  by  angels, 
and  magnified  far  above  every  name  that  is  named.  There 
he  remains  as  our  Mediator  and  Intercessor,  "  able  to  save 
to  the  uttermost  all  them  that  come  unto  God  by  him." 
lie  has  also  the  power  of  his  Omnipotent  Father  for  our 
l)enefit,  and  has  received  all  gifts  for  us,  which  he  is  ready 
to  bestow  on  all  who  call  on  his  name,  even  on  the  rebel- 
lious. Oh  exalted  Prince  and  Saviour,  I  rejoice  in  thy 
glory,  I  trust  in  thy  love,  I  worship  thee,  I  acknowledge 
thee  to  be  the  Lord  ! 


352 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


FROAI  THENCE  HE  SHALL  COME  TO  JUDGE  THE  QUICK 
AND  THE  DEAD. 

This  is  the  hlessed  hope  of  his  church,  "  the  glorious 
appearing  of  the  great  God  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ," 
I  know  that  he  will  come  again.  I  know  that  at  his  coming 
he  will  raise  his  dead  saints,  and  change  his  living  saints, 
and  they  will  be  raised  up  at  the  last  day  to  life  everlasting. 
I  know  that  he  will  come  with  ten  thousand  of  his  saints 
to  execute  judgment  upon  all,  first  on  the  quick  or  the 
living ;  and  while  he  will  he  glorified  in  his  saints,  and 
admired  in  them  that  believe,  those  who  know  not  God, 
and  obey  not  his  gospel  shall  be  punished  with  everlasting 
destruction.  I  know  that  he  will  reign  with  his  saints  ; 
and  that  finally  all  the  dead  shall  be  raised  and  judged 
according  to  their  works.  Knowing  these  things,  may  I 
ever  be  waiting  for  his  coming,  and  looking  for  his  appear- 
ing "  the  second  time  without  sin  unto  salvation."  May  I 
be  so  prepared  for  it  that  the  day  of  his  coming  may  be  to 
me  the  day  of  my  fulness  of  joy,  and  that  for  evermore. 

I   BELIEVE  IN  THE   HOLY  GHOST. 

With  the  same  divine  trust,  confidence,  and  hope  of 
blessing,  which  I  repose  in  God  the  Father,  and  God  the 
Son,  I  repose  also  in  God  the  Holy  Ghost  ;  because  my 
Lord  and  Saviour  commanded  that  all  nations  should  be 
taught  and  baptized  "  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of 
the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  He  is  the  Lord  and 
Giver  of  life.  He  is  the  advocate  and  Comforter  of  the 
soul.  He  is  the  Teacher  of  us  sinners.  He  dwells  in  his 
people,  and  thus  their  body  is  "  the  temple  of  God,  and  the 
temple  of  the  Holy  Ghost."  2  Cor.  iii.  17  ;  vi.  19.  He 
sanctifies  us,  being  the  cause  of  all  holiness  in  us  ;  not 
only  inspiring  the  writers  of  the  holy  scriptures,  and 
raising  up  teachers  from  age  to  age,  but  enlightening  our 
minds,  quickening  our  souls,  and  purifying  our  hearts  ;  he 
enables  me  to  call  God  my  Father,  and  Jesus  my  Lord  ; 
giving  me  the  spirit  of  adoption,  and  assisting  my  prayers, 


ON  THE  apostles'  CREED. 


353 


and  bearing  witness  with  my  spirit  that  I  am  a  child  of 
God,  and  making  me  "  meet  for  the  inheritance  of  the 
saints  in  light."  0  Holy  Ghost,  fulfil  all  thy  gracious 
ivork  in  my  soul,  and  let  me  never  grieve  or  quench  the 
Spirit,  but  daily  walk  in  the  Spirit  and  be  led  by  the 
Spirit. 

THE  HOLY  CATHOLIC  CHURCH. 

The  whole  church  of  Christ  all  over  the  world  is  one 
body.  1  Cor.  xii.  12—27.  Rom.  xii.  4,  5.  "Christ  loved 
the  church,  and  gave  himself  for  it,  that  he  might  sanctify 
and  cleanse  it,  with  the  washing  of  water,  by  the  word  ; 
that  he  might  present  it  to  himself  a  glorious  church,  not 
having  spot,  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing,  but  that  it 
should  be  holy  and  without  blemisli."  Eph.  v.  25 — 27. 
The  word  catholic  means  universal,  and  here  comprehends 
the  whole  church  of  Christ,  including  all  believers  of  every 
nation  who  have  died  in  the  Lord,  as  well  as  all  now  living 
in  the  faith  of  Christ,  wherever  scattered  or  dispersed. 
The  church  is  outward  and  visible  in  its  order,  assemblies, 
sacraments,  and  confession  of  Christ,  and  in  the  lives  of 
those  calling  upon  his  name.  Thus,  the  apostle  writes 
unto  "  the  church  of  God,  which  is  at  Corinth,  to  them 
that  are  sanctified  in  Christ  Jesus,  with  all  that  in  every 
place  call  on  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  both 
theirs  and  ours."  1  Cor.  i.  2.  0  what  a  blessed  society  is 
this  ;  some  with  Christ  above,  and  others  journeying  to  be 
with  him,  and  all  a  "  royal  priesthood  and  an  holy  na- 
tion !  "  May  I  ever  manifest  that  I  belong  to  this  church, 
by  abiding  in  Jesus  and  bearing  much  fruit. 

THE  COMMUNION  OF  SAINTS. 

A  saint  means  a  holy  person,  one  set  apart  and  devoted 
to  God  to  do  his  will.  Every  true  believer  in  Jesus  is  a 
saint,  for  his  faith  purifies  his  heart,  works  in  him  by  love, 
and  enables  him  to  overcome  the  world.  Tlie  communion 
of  saints  is  founded  on  our  re-union  with  Christ  Jesus.  It 
is  his  prayer  to  his  Father  for  those  that  believe  in  him,. 


334 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  ! 


that  they  may  all  be  one,  and  he  adds,  "  even  as  we  are 
one  ;  I  in  them  and  thou  in  me,  that  they  may  be  made 
perfect  in  one."  The  saints  thus  have  a  joint  participation 
of  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  love  of  God,  and 
the  fellowship  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  they  are  under  the  com- 
mon care  of  angels  ministering  to  them  ;  they  have  one 
word,  the  light  of  their  feet  ;  one  baptism  of  admission 
into  the  church  ;  one  Lord's  Supper  to  help  them  to  feed 
on  Christ ;  their  enemies  are  the  same  and  their  friends 
the  same.  They  have  one  spirit  of  love  to  each  other,  one 
way  in  which  they  are  walking,  and  one  eternal  home  in 
which  they  will  together  dwell  throughout  eternity.  O 
my  Father,  give  me  ever  to  remain  in  this  one  family,  and 
to  seek  and  rejoice  in  its  welfare  here,  and  partake  of  its 
sufferings  and  hopes  now,  and  of  its  glories  hereafter. 


THE  FORGIVENESS  OF  SINS. 

Here  is  that  most  precious  doctrine  without  which  I  could 
have  no  hope :  for  my  sins  are  numerous  as  the  stars  of 
heaven,  and  aggravated  by  my  many  peculiar  advantages 
and  the  unspeakable  loving-kindness  of  my  God.  But, 
adored  be  thy  name,  "  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee,  that 
thou  mayest  be  feared  ; "  Jesus  hath  appeared  "  to  put 
away  sin  by  the  sacrifice  of  himself."  We  have  "  redemp- 
tion through  his  blood,  the  forgiveness  of  our  sins,  accord- 
ing to  the  riclies  of  his  grace."  May  this  amazing  grace, 
this  wonderful  goodness  of  God  in  blotting  out  my  sins  by 
the  blood  of  his  own  Son,  lead  me  to  repentance.  May  I 
so  credit  it  and  so  constantly  behold  it,  living  continually 
by  faith  in  it,  that  my  proud  heart  may  be  humbled,  my 
stony  heart  broken,  and  my  whole  soul  formed  anew  and 
tilled  with  grateful,  holy,  and  heavenly  affections,  "My 
soul  doth  magnify  the  Lord,  and  my  spirit  hath  rejoiced  in 
God  my  Saviour  ;"  and  I  would  tell  every  human  being  the 
glad  tidings  of  his  forgiving  love,  by  which  I  am  restored 
again  to  his  favour,  and  can  live  in  the  light  of  his  love. 


ON  THE  apostles'  CREED. 


355 


THE  RESURRECTION  OF  THE  BODY. 

Here  again  is  another  wonderful  fact  which  has  been 
clearly  revealed  by  God's  word.  "  The  hour  is  coming 
and  now  is,  in  the  which  all  that  are  in  the  graves  shall 
hear  his  voice,  and  shall  come  forth,  they  that  have  done 
good  unto  the  resurrection  of  life,  and  they  that  have  done 
evil  unto  the  resurrection  of  damnation."  John  v.  28,  29. 
O  may  I  be  kept  from  doing  evil,  and  taught  of  God  to 
do  good.  How  glorious  the  resurrection  of  the  saints,  the 
same  body  which  has  been  corrupted  shall  be  restored. 
Job  xix.  26,  27.  "  This  corruptible  must  put  on  incor- 
ruption,  and  this  mortal  must  put  on  immortality.  It  is 
sown  a  natural  body  :  it  is  raised  a  spiritual  body."  1  Cor. 
XV.  1.  As  to  those  living  when  our  Lord  comes  again,  the 
bodies  of  all  who  believe  in  him  shall  be  "  changed  and 
fashioned  like  unto  his  glorious  body  ;  "  Pliil.  iii.  21  : 
their  bodies  thus  being  made  suitable  for  the  perfected 
spirit,  that  body  and  spirit  made  like  Christ  and  united 
together,  may  be  for  ever  glorious  together  in  the  presence 
and  joy  of  God.  0  what  a  victory  this  over  death  !  what 
a  triumph  over  the  grave  !  a  victory  and  a  triumph  already 
prefigured  in  the  resurrection  of  every  fresh  day  from  the 
darkness  of  the  night  ;  of  every  fresh  spring  from  the 
death  of  winter,  and  in  the  rising  of  eacli  seed  sown  in 
the  earth.  May  I,  believing  in  Jesus,  "  Rejoice  with  joy 
unspeakable,  and  full  of  glory." 

AND  THE  LIFE  EVERLASTING. 

This  is  the  crown  of  the  whole.  And  let  me  see  dis- 
tinctly what  this  life  is  ;  a  life  in  the  knowledge  and 
enjoyment  of  God,  and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ.  For  my 
Redeemer  has  assured  me,  "  this  is  life  eternal,  to  know 
tliee,  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Clirist  whom  thou  hast 
sent."  John  xvii.  ,3.  The  want  of  this  is  that  eternal 
death,  in  which  the  wicked  are  left  in  that  "  lake  of  fire 
and  brimstone  where  the  Devil  and  his  followers  are,  and 
are  tormented  day  and  night  for  ever  and  ever."   Rev.  xx. 

2  A  2 


356 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


10.  With  what  earnestness  should  I  myself  turn,  and 
seek  also  to  turn  others,  from  everything  that  would  lead 
to  that  fearful  issue  ;  and  especially  from  unbelief,  now 
the  great  condemning  sin.  John  iii.  18,  86  ;  viii.  24  ; 
Mark  xvi.  16.  The  tme  knowledge  of  God  produces  like- 
ness to  him  and  full  happiness  :  "  We  know  that  when  he 
shall  appear,  we  shall  he  like  him,  for  we  shall  see  him  as 
he  is."  1  John  iii.  2.  "  Then  shall  I  know  even  as  also  I 
am  known."  1  Cor.  xiii.  12.  The  joys  of  this  everlasting 
life  no  mind  can  fully  conceive.  They  are,  however,  con- 
nected with  our  conduct  here,  "  He  which  soweth  sparingly 
shall  reap  also  sparingly ;  and  he  which  soweth  bounti- 
fully shall  reap  also  bountifully.  They  that  be  wise  shall 
shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament,  and  they  that 
turn  many  to  rigliteousness  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever." 
Dan.  xii.  3.  See  too,  2  Peter  i.  5 — 11  ;  Rom.  viii.  17,  18. 
0  may  my  heart  then  be  set  and  fixed  on  everlasting  life  ! 
May  I  willingly  suffer  now  to  partake  of  that  glory  here- 
after. May  I  wholly  confide  in  the  record  that  "  God  hath 
given  to  us  eternal  life,  and  this  life  is  in  his  Son  Jesus 
Christ."  May  I  know  by  blessed  communion  and  fellow- 
ship with  the  Father,  and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,  that  I 
"have  eternal  life"  (1  John  v.  13;  i.  1,  2.)  and  ever 
rejoice  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  "  The  true  God  and 
eternal  life." 


II.  MEDITATIONS  AND  PRAYERS  ON  THE  TEN 
COMiSIANDMENTS. 

1.  THE  LAW  IN  GENERAL. 

Psalm  xix.  7 — 11.  "  The  law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect, 
converting  the  soul :  the  testimony  of  the  Lord  is  sure, 
making  wise  the  simple  :  the  statutes  of  the  Lord  are  right, 
rejoicing  the  heart :  the  commandment  of  the  Lord  is  pure, 
enlightening  the  eyes  :  the  fear  of  the  Lord  is  clean,  en- 
during for  ever :  the  judgments  of  the  Lord  are  true  and 


ON  THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS. 


357 


righteous  altogether.  More  to  be  desired  are  tiiey  than 
gold,  yea,  than  much  fine  gold  ;  sweeter  also  than  honey 
and  the  honey-conib.  Moreover,  by  them  is  thy  servant 
warned  ;  and  in  keeping  of  them  there  is  great  reward." 

How  false  the  views  which  men  commonly  take  of  the 
holy  law  of  God  !  They  think  it  hard  and  severe.  They 
feel  it  a  burden  and  weariness.  They  have  no  love  to  it. 
They  see  nothing  of  its  goodness  and  beauty. 

Such  is  the  view  of  the  world.  God's  view  is  very 
different :  "  0  that  thou  hadst  hearkened  to  my  command- 
ments ;  then  had  thy  peace  been  as  a  river,  and  thy  righ- 
teousness as  the  waves  of  the  sea."  Christ's  view  of  it  is 
very  different  also.  It  was  his  meat  and  drink  to  fulfil  it. 
"  Lo,  I  come  to  do  thy  will,  O  my  God  ;  I  delight  to  do 
it  ;  yea,  thy  law  is  within  my  heart.  I  have  kept  my 
Father's  commandment,  and  abide  in  his  love.  I  know 
that  his  commandment  is  life  everlasting."  And  all  holy 
men  partake  of  this  mind  of  Christ,  and  can  say  with  the 
Psalmist :  "  O  how  I  love  thy  law,  it  is  my  meditation 
all  the  day  !  " 

Why  is  the  law  of  God  so  precious  in  the  sight  of  Christ 
and  of  Christ's  servants  ?  Why  does  God  the  Father  so 
highly  honour  it  ?  Why  did  the  Son  of  God  delight  so 
greatly  in  obeyin  and  fulfilling  it  ?  Why  does  the  Spirit 
rejoice  to  write  it  in  the  hearts  of  God's  people  1  Because 
it  brings  glory  to  God  and  happiness  to  man  ;  because 
obedience  to  it  is  heaven,  and  disobedience  to  it  is  hell ; 
because  the  law  of  God  in  the  heart  of  all  God's  creatures 
is  all  that  is  needed,  that  they  may  be  blessed,  and  God  be 
glorified,  for  ever  and  ever. 

"  The  law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect,  converting  the  soul !  " 
There  is  nothing  too  much  required,  and  nothing  too  little 
for  our  guidance.  It  tells  us  all  that  we  need  to  do.  It 
points  us  to  Christ  to  gain  strength  for  doing  it.  It  tells 
us  who  God  is,  and  what  he  has  done  for  us,  and  how  we 
are  to  serve  him.  And  it  converts  the  soul.  When  the  love 
of  God's  law  enters  the  heart,  the  love  of  sin  is  driven  away. 
It  is  a  schoolmaster  that  brings  us  to  him,  and  sets  us  like 


358 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Mary  at  his  feet.  It  calls  us  from  sin  and  vanity,  to  the 
love  of  God  and  of  man.  It  points  us  to  the  Lamb  of  God 
that  takes  away  the  sin  of  the  world,  and  then  says — if  ye 
love  him  keep  his  commandments. 

"  The  testimony  of  the  Lord  is  sure,  making  wise  the 
simple."  It  is  given  by  the  all-wise  God.  It  testifies  his 
holiness,  his  presence,  his  love,  his  goodness.  It  is  sure  ; 
it  does  not  deceive  those  who  rest  upon  it.  It  is  not  like 
man's  advice,  uncertain  or  doubtful.  We  may  depend  on 
its  truth  ;  we  may  rely  on  its  wisdom  ;  for  God,  who  gave 
it,  has  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge.  And 
yet  it  is  so  simple,  that  the  poorest  may  understand  it.  The 
simplest  may  learn  what  it  means.  And  when  they  pray 
over  it,  and  seek  the  grace  of  God  to  fulfil  it,  they  will  be 
made  wise  unto  salvation. 

"  The  statutes  of  the  Lord  are  right,  rejoicing  the  heart." 
They  bid  us  do  nothing,  but  what  we  ought  to  do.  Thej* 
forbid  us  nothing  but  what  is  for  our  harm.  They  call  us 
to  do  no  duty,  for  which  God  does  not  promise  his  grace, 
and  which  will  not  make  us  happier  for  ever,  when  we  ob- 
serve it  from  the  heart.  And  when  we  listen  to  these 
statutes,  they  will  first  make  us  humble,  that  we  have 
broken  them  so  often  ;  and  then  they  will  lead  us  to  seek 
for  pardon  and  peace  ;  they  will  teach  us  to  pray  for  God's 
Spirit  to  put  them  in  our  hearts,  and  then  they  will  fill 
those  hearts  with  peace  and  joy.  0  how  happj',  how  joy- 
ful are  those,  who  love  the  holy,  blessed  statutes  and  com- 
mands of  God  ! 

"  The  commandment  of  the  Lord  is  pure,  enlightening 
the  eyes."  All  things  here  are  impure  and  unholy.  God's 
commandments  are  pure  themselves,  and  make  those  pure 
who  receive  them.  They  will  teach  us  to  love  God,  to 
love  Christ,  to  love  each  other,  to  hate  sin,  to  follow  after 
holiness,  to  prepare  for  heaven.  We  are  so  blind  without 
them,  that  we  cannot  tell  what  we  should  live  for,  what 
will  do  us  good  or  harm,  or  how  we  may  be  saved  at  last, 
or  serve  and  please  God.  These  commandments  can  give 
light  to  our  eyes.    They  teach  us  that  the  love  of  God  is 


ON  THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS. 


359 


the  great  thing  we  need.  They  shew  us  that  we  do  not  love 
God  of  ourselves.  They  teach  us  that  we  are  guilty  sin- 
ners, and  need  a  Saviour.  They  invite  us  to  love  and  serve 
that  Saviour  who  has  loved  us  and  died  for  us.  They  pre- 
pare us  for  a  world  wliere  sin  cannot  enter,  where  all  will 
be  holy  and  happy,  and  that  for  ever. 

"  The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  clean,  enduring  for  ever  ;  the 
judgments  of  the  Lord  are  true,  and  righteous  altogether. 
More  to  be  desired  are  they  than  gold,  yea,  than  much  fine 
gold  ;  sweeter  also  than  honey,  and  the  honeycomb." 

So  excellent  are  God's  holy  commandments  ;  true  and 
righteous,  full  of  wisdom,  more  desirable  than  the  most 
precious  things  of  earth.  0  that  we  may  prove  their 
value  !  May  we  find  them  indeed  to  be  our  delight  and 
our  treasure,  and  be  prepared  by  obedience  here,  for  glory 
hereafter  ! 

Prayer  to  know  and  keep  God's  Law. 

Teach  me,  O  Lord,  the  way  of  thy  statutes,  that  I  may 
keep  them  unto  the  end.  0  give  me  understanding,  that 
I  may  keep  thy  commandments.  Open  thou  mine  eyes,  0 
Lord,  that  I  may  behold  wondrous  things  out  of  thy  law. 
May  this  be  my  delight,  my  joy,  my  daily  aim  and  study, 
to  grow  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  thy  will.  Thus, 
O  my  God,  may  I  live  to  thy  glory  here,  and  come  shortly 
to  thy  blessed  kingdom,  where  thy  law  will  be  found 
written  in  every  heart,  and  thy  praises  be  heard  from 
every  tongue.  Grant  this,  0  Father,  for  the  love  of  thy 
only  Son,  our  Lord  and  Saviour. 

2.  THE  PREFACE. 

Exod.  XX.  1,  2.  "  And  God  spake  all  these  words  and 
said,  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  which  brought  thee  out  of 
the  land  of  Egypt,  out  of  the  house  of  bondage." 

God's  mercies  always  come  before  his  commands.  He 
first  shews  us  his  goodness,  and  then  claims  our  obedience. 
All  his  laws  flow  from  his  love.    Because  he  seeks  our 


360 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


good  he  teaches  us  the  good  and  right  way,  wherein  we 
should  walk.  Blessed  are  they  that  hear  and  obey  his 
voice. 

What  are  we  taught  by  this  preface  to  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments 1  First,  their  authority,  and  our  duty.  They 
are  the  words  of  the  true  God.  He  who  has  made  us,  who 
preserves  us  day  by  day,  wlio  has  given  his  Son  to  die  for 
us,  here  speaks  to  us.  He  spake  and  the  world  was  made. 
He  speaks  now  to  us,  and  if  we  listen  to  his  voice,  our 
souls  will  be  made  anew,  holy  and  happy  for  ever.  The 
angels  in  heaven  do  his  commandments,  and  hearken  to 
the  voice  of  his  words.  How  much  more  should  we  who 
are  dust  and  ashes,  sinful  and  dying  creatures,  hear  the 
voice  of  our  God  when  he  condescends  to  speak  to  us  ! 

But  these  words  teach  us  much  besides.  They  remind 
us  of  God's  many  mei'cies.  He  is  the  Lord  ;  and  heaven 
and  earth  are  full  of  the  majesty  of  his  glory.  And  yet 
he  is  our  God.  By  baptism  we  become  his  people,  and  he 
enters  into  a  covenant  with  us,  to  save  and  bless  us.  We 
are  his  people  and  the  sheep  of  his  pasture.  He  has  gra- 
ciously promised  to  own  us  for  his  children  ;  we  are 
solemnly  bound  to  believe  his  word,  and  to  keep  his  com- 
mandments. Behold  then  what  manner  of  love  the  Father 
hath  bestowed  upon  us,  that  we  should  be  called  the 
children  of  God  ! 

He  brought  the  children  of  Israel  out  of  Egypt.  They 
were  oppressed  and  he  delivered  them.  They  were  in 
bondage  and  he  saved  them.  They  cried  unto  him  and  he 
heard  their  groaning.  Their  enemies  were  too  strong  for 
them  and  he  subdued  them.  He  divided  the  Red  Sea  and 
made  a  way  for  his  ransomed  to  pass  over.  He  fed  them 
with  manna  in  the  wilderness,  and  bi'ought  water  out  of 
the  flinty  rock  for  their  thirst. 

And  has  he  done  nothing  for  us  ?  0  yes,  as  great,  and 
still  greater  works  of  mercy.  He  saw  us  lying  in  sin,  in 
the  darkness  and  shadow  of  death.  He  remembered  us  in 
our  low  estate.  He  heard  the  groaning  of  the  prisoners. 
He  sent  his  Son  from  heaven  to  be  our  ransom.  He  spared 


ON  THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS, 


361 


not  his  own  Son,  but  freely  gave  him  up  for  us  all.  The 
Son  of  Man  came  to  seek  and  save  that  which  was  lost. 
The  good  Shepherd  laid  down  his  life  for  his  sheep.  He 
has  borne  the  load  of  our  sins,  that  we  might  be  free.  He 
endured  death,  that  we  might  live  for  ever.  He  has  redeemed 
us  from  the  curse,  being  made  a  curse  for  us.  "Herein  is 
love,  not  that  we  loved  God,  but  that  he  loved  us,  and  gave 
his  Sou  a  sacrifice  for  our  sins."  Our  chains  are  now  broken, 
our  sins  are  borne  away.  Christ  has  suffered  for  our  sins, 
the  just  for  the  unjust,  that  he  might  deliver  us  from  the 
bondage  of  corruption  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the 
children  of  God. 

Great  have  been  his  mercies  also  to  our  nation,  as  to 
Israel  of  old.  He  has  ransomed  us  from  heathen  darkness. 
Our  forefathers  were  wild  and  savage,  sacrificing  men  to 
their  false  idols.  The  gospel  of  Christ  reached  us,  and  that 
bondage  was  broken.  Peace,  holiness,  and  happiness  began 
to  visit  our  shores.  Since  then,  we  had  sunk  ourselves 
again  in  Popish  idolatry.  But  blessed  be  his  name,  he  has 
again  ransomed  us.  The  idols  have  again  been  banished. 
The  light  of  his  truth  has  again  reached  us,  and  once  more 
set  us  free.  Now  we  can  worship  God  in  spirit  and  in 
truth.  We  are  no  longer  compelled  to  bow  to  stocks  and 
stones,  or  to  suffer  death.  Our  God  has  freed  us  from  that 
dark,  Egyptian  bondage.  Blessed  be  his  holy  name  for 
ever  and  ever. 

And  have  we  not  each  of  us,  received  many  mercies 
from  the  same  gracious  God  ?  Has  he  not  given  us  life, 
and  meat,  body  and  raiment  ?  Has  he  not  given  us  many 
comforts,  and  saved  us  from  many  dangers  1  Who  can 
count  his  thoughts  of  love  toward  each  of  us  ?  How  great 
is  the  sum  of  them,  more  in  number  than  the  sand  !  Are 
we  thoughtless,  worldly,  unholy,  rebellious  ?  He  spares 
us,  bears  with  us,  reasons  with  us,  waits  patiently  for  our 
repentance,  has  no  pleasure  in  our  death,  but  rather  that 
we  should  turn  and  live.  Do  we  love  and  serve  him,  and 
desire  to  please  him.  It  is  he  that  has  changed  our  heart, 
and  put  within  us  a  right  spirit.    It  is  he  who  day  by  day 


362 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


pardons  our  sins,  strengthens  us  for  duty,  guides  our  steps, 
numbers  the  hairs  of  our  head,  receives  us  as  his  children, 
refreshes  us  with  his  heavenly  comfort,  and  prepares  us  for 
his  glory.  "  Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  all  that  is 
within  me,  bless  his  holy  name  !" 

Let  us  eacli  then  examine  ourselves  by  these  words  of 
God.  Is  the  Lord  my  God  ?  Do  I  love  him,  serve  him 
and  fear  him  ?  Do  I  remember  that  I  am,  by  baptism, 
brought  into  covenant  and  under  a  vow,  to  believe  his  word 
and  to  keep  his  commandments  ?  Do  I  bear  in  mind  his 
past  mercies  to  me  and  to  all  men  ?  Do  I  think  much  on 
his  love  in  sending  his  Son  to  die  for  me  1  Do  I  see  and 
know  that  sin  is  a  deadly  bondage  ?  Do  I  long  to  be  freed 
from  it  ?  Do  I  believe  that  God  is  willing  and  able  to  set 
me  free  ?  And  do  I  love  him  for  this  1  "  This  is  the  love 
of  God,  that  we  keep  his  commandments."  Am  I  keeping 
them  ?  or  at  least  am  I  desiring  to  keep  them,  and  praying 
to  God  for  his  Holy  Spirit,  that  I  may  please  and  serve 
him,  in  righteousness  and  holiness  of  life,  all  my  days? 
"  Blessed  are  the  people  who  are  in  such  a  case,  yea,  blessed 
are  the  people  who  have  the  Lord  for  their  God." 

Frai/er. 

Shew  me,  0  Lord,  thy  mercy  and  thy  goodness.  Teach 
me  always  to  bless  thy  name,  and  not  to  forget  thy  great 
benefits.  Thou  hast  loved  me,  may  I  love  thee  greatly. 
Thou  hast  redeemed  me,  may  I  serve  thee  with  freedom 
and  joy  of  heart.  Thou  hast  delivered  me  from  the  house 
of  bondage,  may  I  be  thankful  and  joyful  in  the  house  of 
prayer.  Thou  hast  brought  me  from  the  land  of  sin, 
death,  and  misery  ;  may  I  worship  thee  for  ever  in  the 
land  of  heavenly  glory.  And  loving  thee,  may  I  have 
grace  to  keep  thy  commandments.  May  I  never  account 
them  grievous,  but  wise  and  good.  In  thy  service  may  I 
find  perfect  freedom,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  thy  name 
life  everlasting. 


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363 


III.  THE  FIRST  COMMANDMENT. 

Exod.  XX.  3.  *'  Thou  shalt  have  no  other  gods  before 
me." 

This  is  the  first  and  great  commandment.  It  charges  us 
to  have  God  for  our  God,  and  to  renounce  all  false  gods  and 
false  worship.  What  is  it  to  have  God  for  our  God  ?  It  is 
to  serve,  to  fear,  and  to  love  him  :  to  remember  his  pre- 
sence, to  walk  before  him  in  holiness,  to  pour  out  our 
hearts  to  him  in  prayer  ;  to  trust  in  his  care  and  provi- 
dence, to  commit  our  souls  to  his  keeping,  to  rely  on  his 
grace  and  mercy,  to  listen  to  his  voice  and  obey  his  com- 
mandments. Blessed  are  they  who  thus  trust  in  him.  He 
will  guide  and  keep,  and  prosper  and  bless  them.  He  will 
be  their  God  for  ever  and  ever  ;  he  will  be  their  guide  even 
unto  death. 

What  is  it  to  renounce  false  gods  1  It  is  to  have  nothing 
that  we  fear  or  love  more  than  God.  If  we  are  more 
anxious,  what  we  shall  eat  or  what  we  shall  drink,  than  to 
please  God,  then  meat  and  drink  are  our  god.  If  we  are 
more  eager  to  grow  rich  in  this  world,  than  to  honour  and 
serve  God  our  maker,  then  riches  are  the  false  god  we 
really  worship.  "  No  covetous  man,  who  is  an  idolater, 
hath  any  inheritance  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ."  If  we 
love  our  own  pleasure  more  than  God,  we  are  worshipping 
a  false  God,  and  despising  the  true  God,  in  whose  presence 
there  are  pleasures  for  evermore.  Whatever  it  be  on 
vv'hich  our  hearts  are  fixed  more  than  on  God's  service  and 
his  holy  will,  there  is  our  false  god,  which  we  are  setting 
up  in  our  hearts,  and  transgressing  this  first  and  great 
commandment. 

Prayer. 

Search  me,  0  God,  and  prove  my  heart  ;  try  me  and 
examine  my  thoughts.  If  there  is  any  thing  I  fear  more 
than  thy  anger,  shew  me,  0  God,  and  forgive  me  and  teach 
me  to  fear  thee  only.    If  I  love  pleasure  or  money,  or  any 


364 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


earthly  thing  more  than  thee,  forgive  me,  0  gracious  God, 
and  teach  me  to  love  thee  ahove  all  things.  Shew  me 
thine  own  love  to  me,  in  creating,  preserving  and  redeem- 
ing me,  that  I  may  love  thee  with  all  my  heart,  and  soul, 
and  mind,  and  strength.  Keep  me  from  every  secret  idol, 
and  make  my  heart  a  temple  to  thy  praise  and  glory. 

IV.  THE  SECOND  COMMANDMENT. 

Exod.  XX.  4 — 6.  "  Thou  shalt  not  make  unto  thee  any 
graven  image,  or  any  likeness  of  anything  that  is  in  heaven 
above,  or  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  in  the  water  under  the 
earth.  Thou  shalt  not  bow  down  thyself  to  them,  nor 
serve  them  ;  for  I  the  Lord  thy  God  am  a  jealous  God, 
visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers  upon  the  children,  unto 
the  third  and  fourth  generation  of  them  that  hate  me  ;  and 
shewing  mercy  unto  thousands  of  them  that  love  me,  and 
keep  my  commandments." 

This  command  unfolds  and  confirms  the  former.  All 
idol-worship  is  solemnly  forbidden,  whether  it  be  the  wor- 
ship of  the  knees,  the  lips,  or  the  heart.  There  is  nothing 
in  heaven,  or  earth,  or  sea,  worthy  to  share  God's  honour. 
Glory  is  due  to  his  name,  and  to  his  only.  We  may  not 
make  idols  of  our  talents,  our  property,  our  family  or 
friends,  or  fancied  good  works  ;  no,  nor  in  any  real  excel- 
lence that  God  may  have  given  us.  The  elders  in  heaven 
cast  their  crowns  at  the  foot  of  the  throne,  saying,  "  Thou 
art  worthy,  0  Lord,  to  receive  the  honour,  and  glory,  and 
power,  for  thou  hast  created  all  things,  and  for  thy  pleasure 
they  are,  and  were  created." 

See  here  the  evil  of  sin.  It  sets  all  the  creatures  of  God 
against  God  himself.  All  the  works  of  his  hand  which  he 
made  for  his  own  glory,  sin  turns  into  idols  to  his  dis- 
honour. It  insults  God  ;  it  ruins  man.  And  what  is  the 
opposite  duty  here  taught  us  1  It  is  to  see  God  in  all  his 
works  :  to  adore  his  majesty  when  we  view  the  heavens  ; 
to  praise  his  goodness,  when  we  look  upon  the  earth  ;  to 
mark  his  unsearchable  depth  of  wisdom,  when  we  gaze 


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365 


upon  the  waters.  It  is  to  see  in  all  the  creatures  he  has 
made,  something  of  his  power,  wisdom  and  love.  It  is  to 
rise  through  these  earthly  shadows,  to  behold  Christ  him- 
self, who  is  the  truth  and  the  life  ;  it  is  to  join  in  the  song 
of  the  blessed  seraphim  :  "  Holy,  holy,  holy.  Lord  God  of 
hosts,  the  whole  earth  is  full  of  thy  glory."  It  is  to  use 
God's  whole  creation  as  a  Jacob's  ladder,  by  which  our 
thoughts  may  rise  to  his  throne  in  heaven. 

What  reason  is  given  for  this  command  1  First,  that 
our  God  is  a  jealous  God.  He  loves  us,  and  will  have  no 
rival  in  the  hearts  which  should  be  altogether  his.  He  loves 
us,  and  hates  those  idols  that  are  the  ruin  of  our  souls. 
He  cares  for  us  too  much  to  suffer  us  to  go  on  in  sin,  with- 
out great  and  heavy  displeasure.  lie  will  surely  punish 
us,  if  we  forsake  him.  If  we  worship  any  golden  calf,  he 
will  grind  it  into  powder,  and  make  us  drink  the  dust  of 
our  heart's  idol.  He  forbears  long,  but  punishes  at  last. 
For  two  or  three  generations  he  may  suffer  sin  to  go  on 
without  seeming  to  notice  ;  but  if  the  children  persevere 
in  their  father's  transgression,  he  will  visit  the  whole  upon 
their  heads  at  last.  Let  us  not  think  we  are  safe,  because 
we  are  openly  worshipping  idols.  Our  fathers  worshipped 
them  in  the  times  of  paganism,  and  in  the  times  of  popery. 
And  if  we  are  not  sincerely  serving  and  worshipping  God, 
their  idolatry  may  still  be  visited  on  us.  If  we  abuse  more 
light  and  more  opportunities,  God  may  still  charge  their 
idolatries  upon  us  their  children.  Let  us  not  boast,  nor  be 
high-minded,  but  fear. 

But  God  is  not  jealous  only,  much  more  is  he  gracious 
and  merciful.  His  covenant  of  love  is  to  a  thousand 
generations.  Ilis  anger  endureth  but  a  moment,  and  in 
his  favour  is  life.  He  shews  mercy  to  thousands  of  per- 
sons, to  a  thousand  generations,  towards  them  that  love 
him  and  keej)  his  commandments.  What  a  stirring  mo- 
tive to  entire  obedience  !  Then  his  love  will  rest  upon  us, 
his  grace  be  sufficient  for  us,  his  favour  encompass  us  as  a 
shield.  We  shall  be  blessed  ourselves,  and  blessings  de- 
scend through  us  to  generations  yet  unborn. 


366 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Prayer. 

Shew  us  thy  mercy,  0  Lord,  and  grant  us  thy  salva- 
tion. 0  teach  us  to  renounce  every  idol,  and  to  yield  our 
whole  heart  to  thy  service.  Remember  not  against  us  our 
offences,  nor  the  offences  of  our  forefathers,  neither  take 
thou  vengeance  on  our  sins.  May  we  love  thee  and  keep 
thy  commandments,  and  in  keeping  of  them  find  a  great 
reward.  May  thy  grace  rest  upon  us  while  we  live,  and 
when  we  die,  and  for  evermore.  And  bless  not  us  only, 
but  thousands  besides.  Where  sin  hath  abounded,  let  thy 
grace  much  more  abound  ;  and  let  grace,  mercy,  and 
peace  be  multiplied  to  all  thy  people  throughout  all 
eternity. 

V.  THE  THIRD  COMMANDMENT. 

Exod.  XX.  7.  "  Thou  shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the 
Lord  thy  God  in  vain,  for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him 
guiltless  that  taketh  his  name  in  vain." 

How  often  alas,  and  in  how  many  waj's  this  command 
is  broken  !  The  name  of  God  is  great,  wonderful  and 
holy.  He  is  the  Almighty,  the  true  and  living  God,  the 
Most  High,  the  Possessor  of  heaven  and  earth,  the  King 
eternal,  immortal  and  invisible,  the  only  wise  God,  the 
King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords.  How  often  his  holy 
name  is  openly  profaned,  in  cursing  and  swearing,  in  false 
oaths,  and  foolish  exclamations  '  How  often  we  take  it 
in  vain,  in  our  conversation,  in  reading,  and  even  in 
prayer  !  When  we  utter  it  without  any  fear  of  his  great- 
ness, or  any  thanks  for  his  goodness,  we  take  it  in  vain. 
When  we  talk  of  God  without  any  thought  of  his  constant 
presence  and  infinite  glory,  we  take  his  name  in  vain. 
When  we  read  his  word  carelessly  and  lightly,  as  if  God 
were  not  speaking  to  us  there,  we  take  it  in  vain.  When 
we  draw  near  to  him  with  our  lips  only  in  prayer,  and  forget 
him  in  our  hearts,  we  take  that  holy  name  in  vain.  Day 
by  day,  we  are  very  guilty  concerning  this,  and  very  for- 
getful of  this  solemn  charge. 


ON  THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS. 


367 


Again  we  take  God's  name  in  vain,  when  we  call  our- 
selves Christians  and  live  as  heathens.  For  Christ  our 
Lord  is  the  only  Son  of  God,  God  over  all,  blessed  for 
ever.  His  name  is  the  name  of  God.  All  are  to  honour 
the  Son  as  they  honour  the  Father.  To  say  to  him  then, 
Lord,  Lord,  and  to  break  his  commands,  is  to  take  God's 
name  in  vain.  To  call  ourselves  Christians,  and  to  live  for 
this  world  only,  to  foi'get  his  word,  forsake  his  liouse,  neg- 
lect his  sacraments,  and  slight  his  gospel,  is  to  profane 
God's  holy  name.  Whenever  we  forget  our  heavenly 
calling,  to  serve  Christ,  to  be  his  children,  to  walk  in  love 
as  he  has  loved  us,  to  look  for  his  coming,  and  hope  for 
his  glory — then  we  are  transgressors  against  this  plain 
command. 

Trayer. 

Who  can  understand  his  errors !  Cleanse  me,  0  God, 
from  my  secret  faults.  0  teach  me  to  fear  this  great  and 
glorious  name,  the  Lord  my  God  !  May  thy  name,  0  gra- 
cious and  heavenly  Father,  be  hallowed  in  my  thoughts 
and  words  and  life.  May  Christ  be  magnified  in  me,  whe- 
ther in  life  or  death.  Make  me  a  Christian  in  heart,  and 
not  with  my  lips  only  ;  in  deed  and  in  truth,  not  merely 
in  name.  May  I  remember  that  I  am  baptized  in  the  name 
of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost.  And  may  I 
never,  by  unholLness  and  sin,  give  occasion  to  any  to  blas- 
pheme that  most  holy  name  by  which  I  am  called.  And  at 
the  last,  0  make  me  a  pillar  in  thy  temple,  and  write  upon 
me  thy  new  name  for  ever  and  ever. 

VT.  THE  FOURTH  COMMANDMENT. 

Exod.  XX.  8 — 11.  "  Remember  the  sabbath  day,  to  keep 
it  holy.  Six  days  shalt  thou  labour  and  do  all  thy  work  ; 
but  the  seventh  is  the  sabbath  of  tlie  Lord  thy  God  ;  in  it 
thou  shalt  not  do  any  work,  thou,  nor  thy  son,  nor  thy 
daughter,  thy  man-servant,  nor  thy  maid-servant,  nor 
thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that  is  within  thy  gates.  For 


368 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


in  six  days  the  Lord  made  heaven  and  earth,  the  sea, 
and  all  that  in  them  is,  and  rested  the  seventh  day  : 
wherefore  the  Lord  blessed  the  sabbath-day  and  hal- 
lowed it." 

The  sabbath  was  made  for  man,  our  blessed  Saviour  de- 
clares, not  for  the  Jews  only.  The  command  applies  to  us 
in  all  its  substance  and  holiness.  It  enjoins  us  a  weekly 
season  of  rest  from  labour,  of  special  worship,  of  medita- 
tion on  God's  works,  providence,  and  grace,  of  preparation 
for  a  sabbath  of  eternal  gloiy. 

Do  we  thus  remember  the  sabbath  ?  Is  the  Lord's  day 
to  us  a  holy  day,  a  day  of  rest  and  peace  ?  Do  we  cease 
from  our  worldly  labours  1  Do  we  secure  the  rest  of  our 
dependants  or  families  ?  Is  there  nothing  to  be  seen  in  our 
houses  on  that  da}',  but  quietness,  peace  and  praj-er,  love 
and  praise  ?  Do  we  banish  vain  thoughts,  useless  reading, 
and  empty  conversation  ?  Do  we  meditate  on  God  as  our 
Creator,  on  Christ  as  our  Redeemer,  on  the  Spirit  of  God 
as  our  Sanctifier  1  Are  we  found  every  sabbath-day  more 
and  more  pi-epared  to  join  in  the  sabbath  of  heaven  ]  Ai-e 
our  thoughts,  our  wishes,  our  prayers,  all  tending  heaven- 
ward 1  Are  we  constant  in  attending  the  house  of  God, 
diligent  in  hearing  the  word  of  God,  thankful  and  joyful  in 
the  worship  of  God  ?  The  da}'  is  hallowed  and  blessed  by 
God  himself :  do  we  every  sabbath  long  for  and  experience 
both  its  holiness  and  its  blessedness  ? 

Prayer. 

0  Jesus,  thou  Lord  of  the  Sabbath,  teach  me  to  love  and 
to  improve  thine  own  day.  Meet  with  me  on  this  day,  and 
bless  me  as  thou  hast  promised.  Give  me  the  true  rest,  a 
peaceful  conscience,  the  sense  of  thy  love,  the  assurance  of 
thy  favour,  the  hope  of  thy  kingdom.  Keep  far  from  me 
vain  and  worldl}"  cares,  and  fill  me  with  heavenly  thoughts 
and  holy  meditations.  May  I  call  the  sabbath  a  delight,  holy 
to  the  Lord,  and  honourable,  and  honour  thee,  not  finding 
my  own  pleasure,  nor  speaking  my  own  words.  Thus  by 
these  earthly  sabbaths,  0  prepare  and  fit  me  for  a  sabbath 


ON  THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS. 


369 


that  shall  never  end,  with  the  spirits  of  the  just  made  per- 
fect, before  thy  throne. 

VII.  THE  FIFTH  COMMANDMENT. 

"  Exod.  XX.  12.  "  Honour  thy  father  and  thy  mother, 
that  thy  days  may  be  long  upon  the  land  which  the  Lord 
thy  God  giveth  thee." 

How  pure  and  blessed  are  the  words  of  God  !  They  are 
a  tree  of  life  to  him  that  findetli  them,  and  happy  is  every 
one  that  retaineth  them.  This  one  command,  if  only  it 
wer€  written  in  every  heart,  how  would  the  world  be 
changed  from  a  land  of  darkness  and  the  shadow  of  death, 
to  a  nursery  for  heaven.  Then  in  every  house  tliere  would 
be  peace  and  union,  holiness  and  love.  What  comfort  to 
parents !  what  blessings  to  their  children !  wliat  a  con- 
tinual growth  and  increase  of  liappiness !  what  happy  gen- 
erations training  up  in  honour,  obedience,  and  love,  for 
immortal  blessedness  !  No  strife,  no  disobedience,  no  fret- 
fulness,  no  murmuring,  but  mutual  delight,  constant  affec- 
tion, overflowing  thankfulness  and  joy.  Then  would  the 
children  in  every  house  be  as  olive-ljranches  around  the 
table.  Then  would  every  family  be  a  garden  of  flowers, 
soon  to  be  transplanted  to  a  heavenly  paradise.  There  long 
life  would  be  theirs,  even  length  of  da3-s  for  ever  and  ever, 
and  pleasures  at  God's  right  hand  for  evermore. 

Prayer. 

Shed  abroad,  0  Lord,  this  spirit  in  every  family  of  thy 
church.  0  that  all  parents  might  bring  up  their  cliildren 
in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  tlie  Lord.  0  that  all 
children  might  learn  to  obey  their  parents,  and  honour  them 
in  all  things.  And,  0  that,  above  all  things,  we  may  love 
and  honour  thee,  our  heavenly  Father,  and  long  exceedingly 
for  tlie  glorious  revealing  of  the  Jerusalem  above,  which  is 
the  mother  of  us  all  ! 

VIII.  THE  SIXTH  COMMANDMENT. 

Exod.  XX.  13.  "  Thou  shalt  not  kill." 


370 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


Oh  !  fearful  issue  of  sin,  that  man  should  kill  his  brother, 
that  Cain  should  be  the  murderer  of  Abel.  Oh,  still  more 
fearful,  that  by  our  sins  we  should  have  crucified  the  Lord 
of  glory  liimself !  What  is  here  forbidden  ?  Every  thought 
of  malice  and  hatred  ;  not  the  murder  of  the  hands  or  the 
feet  only,  but  the  murderous  eye,  the  murderous  heart, 
the  selfish  will,  the  unforgiving  spirit.  There  is  no  safe 
middle  ground.  He  that  is  not  for  me,  says  Christ,  is 
against  me.  He  that  is  not  aiming  to  love  his  neighbour  as 
himself,  will  hate  him  when  he  stands  in  his  way,  and  needs 
only  temptation  and  fit  opportunity  to  become  a  murderer. 
Out  of  the  heart  are  the  issues  of  life.  From  within,  out 
of  the  heart,  jn-oceed  murders.  He  that  is  angry  with  his 
brother  without  a  cause,  is  on  the  high  road  to  Cain's  sin, 
and  Cain's  perdition.  Be  not  high-minded,  but  fear.  Say 
not.  Am  I  a  dog,  that  I  should  do  such  a  thing  ?  but 
pray  rather  that  God  would  not  lead  you  into  temptation, 
but  deliver  you  fi-om  evil.  By  the  love  of  God,  drive  out 
from  your  hearts  the  hatred  of  your  brother  ;  by  the  grace 
of  your  dying  Saviour,  learn  to  lay  down  your  life  for  the 
brethren. 

Traytr. 

From  all  blindness  of  heart,  from  pride,  vain  glory,  and 
hypocrisy  ;  from  envy,  hatred,  and  malice,  and  all  uncha- 
ritableness,  good  Lord,  deliver  us.  0,  teach  me  so  to  love 
all  men,  that  I  may  never  harbour  a  thought  of  evil,  nor 
give  any  place  to  the  devil,  who  would  tempt  me  to  ma- 
lice, and  perhaps  to  murder.  May  I  look  to  him  who  laid 
down  his  life  for  his  enemies,  copy  his  blessed  example, 
tread  in  his  steps,  and  be  delivered  from  all  malice  and  hate, 
into  the  glorious  freedom  of  the  sons  of  God,  whose  hearts 
are  the  temples  of  thy  Spirit,  and  the  dwelling-places  of 
heavenly  love. 

IX.  THE  SETENTH  COMMANDMENT. 

Exod.  XX.  14.  "  Thou  shaltnot  commit  adultery." 

"  Marriage  is  honourable  in  all,  but  whoremongers  and 


ON  THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS. 


371 


adulterers  God  will  judge."  This  sin  and  such  as  this  de- 
grade and  pollute  the  soul,  destroy  the  peace  of  families, 
dishonour  God's  most  holy  ordinance,  bring  down  his 
wrath  on  the  children  of  disol)edience,  make  the  earth 
corrupt  before  God,  and  full  of  violence,  bring  disgrace 
now,  and  ruin  for  ever.  Without  the  heavenly  city  are 
dogs  and  whoremongers.  The  abominable  and  whore- 
mongers shall  have  their  part  in  the  lake  that  burneth  with 
fire  and  brimstone.  Be  not  deceived  ;  neither  fornicators, 
nor  idolaters,  nor  adulterers,  shall  inherit  the  kingdom  of 
God.  Have  then  no  fellowship  with  the  unfruitful  works 
of  darkness,  but  rather  reprove  them.  Seek  rather  above 
all  things  the  fine  linen  of  grace,  purity,  holiness,  and  hea- 
venly love,  to  fit  your  soul  for  the  marriage-supper  of  the 
Lamb.  Blessed  are  those  pure  and  virgin  souls  who  are 
I'eady  to  enter  into  the  marriage  when  the  heavenly  Bride- 
groom appears. 

Prayer. 

0  thou  pure  and  holy  God,  who  searchest  the  heart,  and 
knowest  every  inward  thought,  create  in  me  a  clean  heart 
and  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me.  Make  me  pure  within. 
May  I  love  thee  with  all  my  heart,  and  mind,  and  soul, 
and  strength,  and  love  my  neighbour  as  myself,  and  prize 
and  pursue  with  my  wliole  soul  that  holiness  without 
which  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 

X.  THE  EIGHTH  COMMANDMENT. 

Exod.  XX.  1.3.  "  Thou  shalt  not  steal." 

How  much  crime  and  misery  should  we  be  spared,  if  this 
one  short  command  of  God  were  feared  and  obej^ed  !  There 
would  be  then  no  need  of  bars  and  bolts,  of  anxiety  and 
care  ;  no  midnight  plundering,  no  secret  pilfering,  no  fraud 
and  deceit  in  trade.  Thou  shalt  not  steal.  What  are  we 
forbidden  to  steal  \  Our  neighbour's  money,  his  time,  his 
reputation.  Why  is  this  forbidden  ?  Because  of  God's 
curse  which  it  brings  on  us ;  because  of  the  misery  and 

2  B  2 


372  CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  ! 

care  ■which  it  brings  even  on  those  who  succeed  in  it  ; 
because  of  the  disgrace,  shame,  and  punishment  of  those 
who  are  detected  ;  because  all  thieves  are  shut  out  from 
the  kingdom  of  God.  What  madness  !  To  steal  a  little 
gold  or  silver,  and  to  forfeit  a  crown  of  eternal  glory ! 
To  steal  to  satisfy  the  wants  of  a  perishing  body,  and 
to  ruin  an  immortal  soul !  To  think  of  escaping  the 
eye  of  man,  and  to  forget  God's  eye  that  is  always 
searching  us  !  To  break  into  the  house  of  a  neighbour  for 
a  few  earthly  goods,  and  shut  ourselves  out  from  a  house,  a 
palace  in  heaven,  that  God  is  ready  to  provide  for  us  !  From 
such  blindness  of  heart,  good  Lord,  deliver  us  ! 

Prayer. 

Lord  of  all  worlds.  Author  and  Giver  of  every  good  gift, 
preserve  me  from  ever  ■wronging  in  any  thing  my  fellow- 
creatures.  Give  me  great  tenderness  of  conscience  in  all 
my  dealings  with  them,  true  uprightness  of  heart  and 
freedom  from  all  guile.  May  I  willingly  suffer  wrong, 
and  take  joyfully  any  losses  for  thy  name's  sake,  and 
have  my  treasure  in  heaven,  through  Jesus  my  Redeemer. 
Amen. 

XI.  THE  XINTH  COMMANDMENT. 

Exod.  XX.  16.  "  Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against 
thy  neiglibour." 

All  the  sins  of  the  tongue  are  here  forbidden.  When  we 
take  up,  and  repeat  a  false  report  against  others  :  when  we 
delight  to  dwell  on  their  faults  or  crimes  ;  when  we  exag- 
gerate their  failings  ;  when  we  have  no  mantle  of  love  to 
cover  their  sins  ;  we  break  this  command.  When  we  think 
or  speak  of  our  fellow-men,  as  if  they  were  not  the  crea- 
tures of  God  ;  as  if  they  were  not  loved  by  God  ;  as  if  they 
were  not  redeemed  by  the  death  of  the  Son  of  God  ;  as  if 
they  could  not  yet  be  sanctified  by  the  Spirit  of  God ;  we 
bear  false  witness  against  our  neighbour.  We  bear,  again, 
false  witness  against  Christ  himself,  our  best  neighbour, 


ox  THE  TEN  COMMANDMENTS. 


373 


when  we  deny  his  Godhead,  when  we  set  at  nouglit  his 
sacrifice,  when  we  slight  his  dying  love,  when  we  neglect 
his  great  salvation.  We  bear  false  witness  against  the  un- 
converted, when  we  refuse  to  own  that  Christ  has  redeemed 
and  bouglit  them  with  his  blood.  We  bear  false  witness 
against  real  believers,  when  we  will  not  confess  them  to 
be  the  children  of  God,  loved  and  chosen  by  him  before  the 
foundation  of  the  world. 


0  thou  God  of  truth,  and  holiness,  and  love,  give  me  to 
know  the  truth,  and  by  the  truth  to  become  free  from  sin 
and  death.  Set  a  watcli  before  my  mouth,  and  keep  the 
door  of  my  lips,  that  I  offend  not  with  my  tongue. 
May  thy  grace  and  love  so  fill  my  heart,  that  I  may  ever 
open  my  mouth  with  wisdom,  and  the  law  of  kindness 
may  ever  be  the  ruling  law  in  my  tongue,  through  Jesus 
the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life,  by  whom  I  am  to  come  to 
thee.  Amen. 


Exod.  XX.  17.  "  Thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's 
house  ;  thou  shalt  not  covet  thy  neighbour's  wife,  nor  his 
man-servant,  nor  his  maid-servant,  nor  his  ox,  nor  his  ass, 
nor  any  thing  that  is  thy  neighbour's. 

How  wise,  how  gracious  in  God,  thus  to  fence  round  by 
his  law,  as  with  a  hedge  of  fire,  the  property,  the  happiness 
and  peace  of  all  his  creatures.  God  himself  here  becomes 
a  shield  and  protector  to  the  weakest  and  most  defenceless. 
None  may  harm  them  without  sin  and  punishment.  "  A 
father  of  the  fatherless  and  a  judge  of  the  widows,  is  God 
in  his  holy  habitation." 

Prayer. 

Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us,  and  write  all  these  thy  laws 
in  our  hearts,  we  beseech  thee.    Shew  us  their  fulness. 


I 


Prayer. 


XII.  THE  TENTH  COMMANDMENT. 


374 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


meaning,  power,  worth,  beauty,  and  blessedness.  May  we 
all  love  the  things  which  thou  commandest,  and  desire  that 
which  thou  dost  promise  ;  that  so  among  the  manifold 
changes  of  this  world,  our  hearts  may  surely  there  be  fixed, 
where  true  joys  are  to  be  found,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord  ! 


III.  THE  LORD'S  PRAYER. 

WITH  PRACTICAL  REMARKS  UPON  IT. 

"  Our  Father,  which  art  in  heaven,  hallowed  be  thy 
name,  thy  kingdom  come,  thy  will  be  done  in  earth  as  it  is 
in  heaven.  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread,  and  forgive 
us  our  trespasses,  as  we  forgive  them  that  trespass  against 
us,  and  lead  us  not  iiUo  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from 
evil  ;  for  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power  and  the 
glory,  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen. 

We  have  here  the  perfect  form  and  the  chief  pattern  of 
prayer.  The  more  we  reflect  upon  it,  the  more  we  shall 
see  the  fulness  of  its  petitions,  and  their  suitableness  for 
our  situation,  and  for  all  our  wants.  What  a  spirit  of  holy 
union  and  love  is  such  a  prayer,  constantly  offered  up  in 
spirit  and  in  truth,  calculated  to  produce  in  all  the  churches 
of  Christ  through  the  whole  world. 

Our  Saviour  first  poured  out  this  prayer  in  the  midst  of 
his  disciples  to  his  and  our  heavenly  Father,  leading  their 
devotions.  This  prayer  is  not  therefore  offered  up  expli- 
citly in  the  name  of  Christ,  but  we  should  view  him  as 
presenting  it  in  his  own  name,  for  his  whole  church,  and 
for  the  full  blessedness  of  our  earth. 

The  filial  confidence  with  which  it  opens,  in  calling  God 
"  Our  Father,"  shews  us  the  state  of  mind  in  which  we 
should  begin  all  prayer  :  seeing  the  love,  and  grace,  and 
tenderness  of  him  to  whom  we  pray.  In  Christ  Jesus  he 
is  truly  our  Father,  and  through  him  only  who  calls  us 


ON  THE  lord's  PRAYER. 


375 


his  brethren,  can  we  with  child-like  confidence  call  God 
our  Father. 

The  description  of  him, — "  which  art  in  heaven,"  shews 
us  in  humbling  thoughts,  what  we  have  lost  in  the  removal 
of  his  presence  from  earth,  and  what  we  may  hope  for  in 
the  restoration  of  all  things,  when  again  God  will  dwell 
Avith  men.    Rev.  xxi.  3. 

The  great  subjects  of  prayer  are  then  opened  to  us  in 
two  leading  views  : — 1st.  What  regards  the  glorious  hopes 
set  before  us  as  the  children  of  God  ;  and  2nd,  what  re- 
gards the  present  state  in  which  we  are  living. 

I.  Our  glorious  hopes  are  set  before  us  in  three 
petitions. 

"  Hallowed  be  thy  name."  At  pi-esent  God  is  disho- 
noured in  his  own  world  ;  the  nations  forget  God  ;  but  a 
day  is  here  desired,  as  it  is  assuredly  coming,  when  the 
whole  earth  shall  be  filled  with  his  glory  ;  and  this  is  the 
first  and  leading  subject  in  prayer  which  should  fill  a 
believer's  heart :  the  glorifying  of  God  is  the  happiness  of 
all  creation. 

"  Thy  kingdom  come  "  is  our  next  subject  of  prayer. 
At  present  the  heavenly  kingdom  is  only  in  spirit,  and  in 
the  hearts  of  God's  people,  but  the  blessed  hope  is  assured 
to  us  that  "  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  shall  become  the 
kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  of  his  Christ : "  and  what  an 
important  subject  of  prayer  is  this  !  When  this  is  gained, 
universal  "  righteousness,  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghost,"  is  gained. 

"  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in  heaven."  How 
full  of  glory  and  blessedness  such  a  petition,  bringing 
down  heaven  and  its  holiness  and  blessedness  to  our 
earth  !  Oh  !  the  largeness  and  fulness  of  love  in  these 
requests  ! 

Let  these  three  petitions  be  accomplished,  and  sin  and 
evil  are  banished  from  our  world,  and  more  blissful  scenes 
than  paradise  in  all  its  blessedness  ever  yielded  are  realized 
in  every  corner  of  the  earth.  How  vast  must  be  the  grace 
of  our  Redeemer,  in  leading  us  to  ask  for  such  extended 
and  enlarged  blessings  i 


376 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


II.  What  regards  the  present  state  in  which  we  are 
living,  comes  afterwards.    We  ask, 

1.  "  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread."  Food  for  our 
bodies,  and  the  bread  of  life  for  our  souls,  are  the  main 
wants  for  the  daily  support  and  sustenance  of  both.  While 
here  we  are  poor  and  needy :  but  we  have  a  rich  Father 
full  of  love. 

2.  "  Forgive  us  our  trespasses  as  we  forgive  them  that 
trespass  against  us."  If  we  are  bid  to  ask  for  it,  is  it  not 
sure  to  us  on  asking  ?  and,  oh,  what  love  to  the  whole 
human  race,  to  connect  mutual  forgiveness  between  man 
and  man  with  obtaining  forgiveness  from  God  !  While 
here,  we  are  sinful  and  guilty,  but  God  forgives  us  freely  ; 
may  we  then  readily  pardon  all  who  acknowledge  their 
faults  against  us. 

3.  '•'  And  lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from 
evil."  Surrounded  with  temptations  from  the  world,  the 
flesh,  and  the  devil,  exposed  to  errors  and  afflictions  on 
every  side,  how  large  and  full  are  such  petitions,  and  how 
suited  to  our  situation  ! 

Then  rising  up  out  of  this  mystery  of  God,  and  this 
abyss  into  which  sin  has  plunged  us,  the  prayer  concludes 
with  triumphant  pleading,  thanksgiving,  and  rendering 
glory  to  God  :  "  For  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power, 
and  the  glory,  for  ever."  Amen. 

Pouring  out  these  desires,  Christians  become  "  a  chosen 
generation  and  a  royal  priesthood,"  pleading  for  the  bless- 
edness of  the  whole  earth. 

0  may  it  be  so  with  ray  heart.  Lord,  teach  me  thus  to 
pray,  that  I  may  rise  to  all  the  largeness,  heavenly-mind- 
edness,  and  full  glory  of  true  prayer. 

Prayer  for  grace  to  help  against  vain  repetitions. 

0  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who,  when  thou  didst  first  give 
thine  own  prayer,  didst  solemnly  charge  us  not  to  use  vain 
repetitions,  I  do  acknowledge  before  thee,  with  humiliation 
and  grief  of  heart,  how  often  I  have  thus  perverted  and 
abused  prayer,  so  that  my  holy  things  have  been  full  of 


ON  THE  lord's  PRAYER. 


377 


iniquity.  Pardon  my  great  sinfulness.  Pity  my  exceeding 
weakness.  I  have  sinned,  and  thou  art  my  only  High 
Priest,  Advocate,  and  Intercessor.  0  both  help  me  to  see 
the  awful  danger  of  resting  in  the  form  of  godliness  with- 
out the  power,  and  effectually  and  speedily  deliver  me  from 
the  vain  worship  of  drawing  near  to  thee  with  my  lips 
only.  Grant  unto  me  grace  really  to  worship  God  in  spirit 
and  truth.  Let  the  Holy  Ghost  give  me  life,  and  unction, 
and  power  in  the  use  of  the  words  of  prayer.  Make  me 
very  watchful  over  my  thoughts  and  affections,  my  desires 
and  my  words.  Knowing  that  a  man  is  not  heard  for  his 
much  speaking,  may  I  never  be  content  with  mere  formal 
prayer.  Work  in  me  to  will  and  to  do  of  thy  good  plea- 
sure, so  that  I  may  stir  up  myself  to  lay  hold  on  God, 
pray  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  ever  offer  unto  God,  in  the 
strength  of  the  Spirit,  a  pure  offering,  acceptable  through 
thy  merits,  0  Lord  Jesus,  to  whom  with  thee,  0  Father, 
and  thee,  0  Holy  Spirit,  be  all  honour  and  glory  now  and 
evermore.  Amen. 


378 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  ! 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE   BOOK   OF  PRAYERS. 

1.  SCRIPTURE  PRAYERS  FROM  THE  OLD  TESTAMENT. 

Gen.  xvii.  18.   Abraham's  prayer  for  Ishmael 
Gen.  xviii.  23.    Abraham's  prayer  for  Sodom  and  Gomorrah 
Gen.  xxiv.   Abraham's  servant's  prayer  for  direction 
Gen.  xxvii.  28,  29  ■, 

Gen.xxviii.  3,4.     }    Isaac's  prayers  for  Jacob 
Gen.  xxxii.  9 — 12.   Jacob's  prayer  for  deliverance  from  Esau 
Gen.  xxxii.  26 — 28.   Jacob's  wrestling  with  the  Angel 
Gen.  xlviii.  15, 16.   Jacob  blesses  Ephraim  and  Manasseh 
Ex.  xxxii.  11 — 13.    Moses'  intercession  on  Mount  Sinai 
Ex.  xxxiii.  12—16, 18.  , 

Ex  xxxiv  9  J  ^^"^^^  prayers  for  the  presence  of  God 

Numb.  vi.  24—26.   The  priest's  blessing 

Numb.  X.  35,  36.    Moses'  when  the  ark  set  forward  and  rested 

Numb.  xii.  13.    Moses'  intercession  of  Miriam. 

Numb.  xiv.  13 — 19.    Moses'  intercession  for  the  murmurers 

Numb.  xvi.  22.    Moses  and  Aaron  for  the  congregation  when  Korah  rebelled. 

Deut.  iii.  24 — 25.    Moses  prays  to  see  the  promised  land 

Josh.  vii.  7 — 9.   Joshua's  prayer  when  the  Israelites  were  smitten  at  Ai 

Judges  vi.  13,  36—39.    Gideon's  expostulation  and  prayer  for  a  sign 

Judges  X.  10 — 16.    The  penitence  of  the  children  of  Israel 

Judges  xiii.  8,  9.    Manoah's  prayer  about  Samson 

Judges  xvi.  28.  Samson's  prayer  for  strength  against  the  Philistines 

1  Sam.  i.  11.    Hannah's  prayer 

2  Sam.  vii.  18 — 29.    David's  prayer  before  the  Lord 
2  Sam.  XV.  31.    David  prays  against  Ahithophel 

2  Sam.  xxiv.  14 — 17.    David's  prayer  at  the  time  of  the  pestilence 

1  Kings  iii.  6 — 9.    Solomon's  prayer  for  wisdom 

1  Kings  viii.  22 — 60.    Solomon's  prayer  in  the  temple 

1  Kings  xvii.  20,  21.    Elijah's  prayer  for  the  widow's  son 

1  Kings  XX.  36,  27.    Elijah's  prayer  at  Mount  Carmel 

2  Kings  xix  15 — 19.    Hezekiah's  prayer  against  Sennacherib 
2  Kings  XX.  2, 3.   Hezekiah's  prayer  in  his  sickness 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


379 


2  Chron.  xx.  6 — 12.   Jehoshaphat's  prayer 

2  Chron.  xxx.  18,  19.    Hezekiah  prays  for  the  people  at  the  passover 

Ezra  ix.  6 — 15.    Ezra's  prayer  and  confession. 

Neh.  i.  4 — 11.    Nehemiah's  prayer  for  Israel 

Neh.  Iv.  4,  5.    Nehemiah's  prayer  against  Tobias  and  Sanballat 

Neh.  T.  19  ■< 

Neh.  vi.  9, 14  >Nehemiah's  prayers  for  the  acceptance  of  his  works 

Neh.  xiii.  14,  29,  31.  J 

[A  table  of  the  Psalms  has  already  been  given  in  the  1st  chapter.    See  also 

page  327.] 
Prov.  xxx.  7 — 9.    Lemuel's  prayer 
Isaiah  Ixiv.    Confession  of  sins 
Jer.  XV.  15 — 18.   Jeremiah's  prayer  for  remembrance 
Jer.  xvii.  13—18.    Jeremiah's  prayer  for  God's  return  to  Israel 
Jer.  XX.  12.    Prayer  for  punishment  of  persecutors 

Jer.  xxTsii.  16 — 24   Jeremiah's  prayer  when  the  Chaldeans  besieged  the  city 
Lamentations  generally — see  especially 
Lam.  i.  20.  ■> 

Lam.  iii.  55.    I  Prayers  in  affliction 
Lam.  V.    Prayer  in  the  affliction  of  Zion 
Dan.  ix.  4 — 19.    Daniel's  prayer  and  confession 
Joel  ii.  17.   Joel's  prayer  for  his  country 
Amos  vli .  2 — 5.   Amos'  intercession  for  Jacob 
Jonah  ii.  2 — 9.   Jonah's  prayer  from  the  whale 
Jonah  iv.  2,  3.   Jonah's  repining  prayer 

Hab.  i.  2 — 4,  12 — 17.    Habakkuk's  prayer  in  the  prospect  of  the  Chaldean  in- 
vasion 

Hab.  iii.    Habakkuk's  prayer  before  the  majesty  of  God 

2.  SCRIPTURE  PRAYERS  FROM  THE  NEW  TESTAMENT. 

Matt.  vi.  9.    The  Lord's  prayer 

Matt.  viii.  2.   The  leper's  prayer 

Matt.  viii.  8.    The  Centurion's  prayer  for  his  servant 

Matt.  viii.  25.    The  disciples  in  the  ship 

Matt.  ix.  27.    The  blind  man 

Matt.  XV.  22,  25.    The  woman  of  Canaan. 

Matt.  XX.  21.   The  mother  of  Zebedee's  sons 

Matt.  xxvi.  39,  42.    Our  Lord's  prayer  in  Gethsemane 

Matt,  xxvii.  46.    Our  Lord's  prayer  on  the  cross 

Mark  v.  23.   Jairus'  prayer  for  his  daughter 

Mark  ix.  5.    Peter's  prayer  on  the  Mount 

Mark  ix.  24.    A  father's  prayer  for  his  son 

Luke  X.  5.    '*  Peace  be  to  this  house  " 

Luke  xi.  1.    "  Lord  teach  us  to  pray  " 

Luke  xi.  2.    The  Lord's  Prayer 

Luke  xiii.  8.   Intercession  of  the  dresser  of  the  vineyard 
Luke  XV.  18.    The  returning  prodigal's  prayer 
Luke  XV.  5.   "Lord,  increase  our  faith  " 
Luke  xviii.  13.   The  publican's  prayer 


380 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  ! 


Luke  xxiii.  34.    Our  Lord's  prayer  for  his  murderers 

Luke  xxiii.  42.    Prayer  of  the  thief  on  the  cross 

Luke  xxiii.  46.    "Father,  into  thy  hands  I  commend  my  spirit" 

John  xii.  28.    "  Father,  glorify  thy  name  " 

John  xiv.  8.    "  Lord,  shew  us  the  Father,  and  it  sufficeth  us" 

John  xvii.    Our  Lord's  prayer  with  his  disciples 

Acts  i.  6.    "  Lord,  wilt  thou  at  this  time  restore  the  kingdom  to  Israel?  " 
Acts  i.  24.    The  Apostles'  prayer  before  the  ordination  of  Matthias 
Acts  iv.  24.    The  Apostles'  prayer  upon  the  opposition  of  the  chief  priests 
and  elders 

Acts  vii.  60.    Stephen's  prayer  for  his  murderers 
Acts  ix.  6.    "  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  ?  " 

Rom.  XV.  13.    St.  Paul's  prayer  for  the  Romans,  that  they  might  abound  in 
hope 

Rom.  XV.  33.    "The  God  of  peace  be  with  you  all" 

■Rom.  xvi.  20.    "  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all " 

2  Cor.  xiii.  7.    St.  Paul  prays  that  the  Corinthians  may  be  kept  from  evil 

2  Cor.  xiii.  14.    "The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of  God, 

.   and  the  communion  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  with  you  all  " 
Gal.  vi.  16.    St.  Paul  prays  for  peace  and  mercy  on  all  the  regenerate 
Eph.  iv.  15—23.   St.  Paul's  prayer  for  the  Ephesians  that  they  might  know 
Christ 

Eph.  iii.  14 — 19.    That  Christ  might  dwell  in  their  hearts 

Phil.  i.  9 — 11.    St.  Paul's  prayer  for  the  Philippians  that  they  might  be  filled 

with  the  fruits  of  righteousness 
1  Thess.  iii.  11 — 13.    St.  Paul's  prayer  for  the  increasing  love  and  holiness  of 

the  Thessalonians 

1  Thess.  V.  23.    His  prayer  for  their  sanctiflcation 

2  Thess.  i.  11, 12.    Prayer  for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  Thessalonians 

2  Thess.  ii.  16,  17,    St.  Paul's  prayer  for  the  comfort  and  establishment  of  tlie 

Thessalonians 
2  Thess.  iii.  16.    His  prayer  for  their  peace 

1  Tim.  i.  2.    St.  Paul's  prayer  for  Timothy 

2  Tim.  i.  16 — 18.    Prayer  for  the  house  of  Onesiphorus 
Heb.  xiii.  20.    Prayer  for  the  Hebrews'  perfect  sanctiflcation 
1  Pet.  V.  10.    Peter's  prayer  for  Christians 

Rev.  i.  4 — 6.    The  apostolical  blessing  and  praise 
Rev.  vi.  10.    The  prayer  of  the  martyrs 
Rev.  xxii.  20.    "  Even  so  come.  Lord  Jesus." 


II.  THANKSGIVING. 

1.  SCRIPTURE  THANKSGIVINGS  FROM  THE  OLD  TESTAMENT. 

Gen.  xiv.  20.   Melchizedek's  thanksgiving  for  Abraham's  victory 
Gen.  xxi.  6.  Sarah's  thanksgiving 


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381 


Gen.  xxiv.  27.   The  thanksgiving  of  Abraham's  servant 

Gen.  xlviii.  11.   Jacob's  when  Epliraim  and  Manasseh  were  brought  to  him 

Ex.  XV.  10.    Moses's  song  and  Miriam's 

E,x.  xviii.  10, 11.    Jethro's  thanksgiving 

Judges  V.    Song  of  Deborah 

1  Sam.  ii.  1 — 10.    Hannah's  Thanksgiving 

2  Sam.  xxii.  ■< 

1  Chron.  xvi.   ^  David's  Psalma  of  thanksgiving 
and  xxix.  ' 

2  Chron.  xx.  21.   Jehoshaphat's  thanksgiving  before  victory 
Ezra  vii.  27,  28.    Ezra's  thanksgiving 

Neh.  ix.  5.    The  Levites'  song  of  praise 

[A  table  of  the  Psalms  has  already  been  given  in  the  1st  chapter.    See  also 
page  358.] 

Isaiah  xii.    A  song  of  praise  for  God's  mercies  to  Zion 
Isaiah  xxv.  x.xvi.   Praise  to  God  for  his  victorious  salvation 

2.  SCRIPTURE  THANKSGIVINGS  FROM  THE  NEW  TESTAMENT. 

Matt.  xi.  25.  "  I  thank  thee,  O  Father,  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  because 
thou  hast  hid  these  things  from  the  wise  and  prudent,  and  hast  revealed 
them  unto  babes" 

Luke  i.  42 — 53.    Thanksgiving  of  Mary  and  Elizabeth 

Luke  i.  68.    The  thanksgiving  of  Zacharias 

Luke  ii.  14.    The  angels'  song 

Luke  ii.  29.    The  song  of  Simeon 

Luke  xix.  38.    Thanksgiving  of  the  disciples  on  Christ's  entry  into  .Jerusalem 
Rom.  vi.  17.    St.  Paul  thanks  God  for  the  obedience  of  the  Romans 
Rom.  vii.  25.    For  deliverance  from  the  body  of  death 

1  Cor.  XV.  57.   For  victory  over  death. 

2  Cor.  ix.  15.    For  his  unspeakable  gift 
Eph.  i.  3.    For  spiritual  blessings  in  Christ 

1  Tim.  i.  12.    For  being  put  into  the  ministry 

2  Tim.  i.  3.    For  his  remembrance  of  Timothy 
Rev.  i.  5.    Thanksgiving  for  redemption 

Rev.  iv.  8 — 11.   The  song  of  the  living  creatures  and  of  the  elders 

Rev.  v.  9 — 14.   The  new  song,  and  song  of  the  thousands  around  the  throne, 

and  of  all  creatures 
Rev.  vii.  9, 10.    The  song  of  the  great  multitude  which  no  man  could  number 
Rev.  xi.  16 — 18.   The  great  voices  in  heaven  and  the  answer  to  the  elders 
Rev.  xvi.  5,  6.    The  angel  of  the  waters  praises  God  for  his  righteous  judg- 
ments 

Rev.  xix.  5—8.    All  thb  servants  of  God  unite  in  Hallelujahs. 


382 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


PRIVATE  PRAYERS. 

PRIVATE  MORNING  PRAYER. 

Psalm  iii.  .5.  "I  laid  me  down  and  slept  ;  I  awaked, 
for  the  Lord  sustained  me." 

Heavenly  Father,  I  come  to  thee,  grateful  for  all  thy 
care  and  love,  and  to  offer  my  thanksgivings  unto  thee  in 
the  name  of  Jesus  Christ.  It  is  a  good  thing  to  give  thanks 
unto  the  Lord,  and  to  sing  praises  unto  thy  name,  0  Most 
High  :  to  shew  thy  loving-kindness  in  tlie  morning,  and 
thy  faithfulness  every  night.  Every  comfort  I  have,  comes 
from  thee.  Every  evil  which  is  turned  from  me,  is  kept 
off  by  thy  kind  providence.  That  I  now,  though  so  sinful, 
can  come  so  freely  and  with  such  just  confidence  to  thy 
throne  of  grace,  and  tell  my  whole  desire  unto  tliee,  is 
owing  to  thine  own  infinite  love  in  giving  Jesus  to  be  ray 
Mediator  and  High  Priest,  in  whom  also  thou  hast  given 
me  eternal  life.  Blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord,  from 
this  time  forth  and  for  eveiTiiore  ;  from  the  rising  of  the 
sun,  unto  the  going  down  of  the  same,  the  Lord's  name  is 
to  be  praised. 

0  keep  in  my  mind  this  day  a  constant  sense  of  thj' 
presence  and  thy  love,  and  fill  me  with  hearty  desires  to  do 
thy  will,  and  to  glorify  thee  in  all  things.  Thou  seest  how 
surrounded  I  am  with  temptations,  how  weak  I  am  in 
myself,  how  blind  and  ignorant,  and  how  inclined  to  all 
evil.  But  thou  hast  given  me  in  Christ  Jesus  all  things 
pertaining  to  life  and  godliness,  and  thy  will  is  my  sancti- 
fication  ;  O  my  Father,  help  me  then  to  look  off  every- 
thing else,  and  to  look  unto  Jesus.  Give  me  grace  to  live 
by  faith  in  him.  INIake  Jesus  to  me  this  day  wisdom, 
righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemption.  Ma}'  thy 
fear  subdue  all  other  fear,  tliy  love  overcome  and  regulate 
all  other  love,  and  thy  law  be  the  path  in  which  I  con- 
stantly walk.  0  let  thy  glory  be  the  great  end  at  which  I 
aim  in  all  I  think  and  say,  and  do  this  day. 


THE  BOOK   OF  PRAYERS. 


383 


Help  me  through  the  day  to  dwell  in  love  ;  supreme 
love  to  God  :  special  love  to  my  fellow  Cliristians,  and 
sincere  love  to  all  men  ;  and  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  give  me  strength  to  crucify  the  flesh  with  its  affec- 
tions and  lusts. 

Lord,  help  me  not  to  look  on  my  own  things,  but  on  the 
things  of  others  also.  Bless  my  dear  relations.  [Here 
name  parents  or  children,  brothers-  or  sisters,  husband  or 
wife,  master  or  servant,  or  any  other  immediate  connec- 
tion.] Bless  my  beloved  Christian  friends.  [Here  name 
them.]  Bless  my  neighbours  and  acquaintance  ;  and  if 
any  have  wronged  or  injured  me,  Lord,  I  pray  for  their 
good  and  welfare.  Bless  the  ministers  of  thy  word  every- 
where. Send  forth  labourers  into  thy  harvest  through  the 
earth.  Convert  tliy  people  Israel  to  Christ,  and  bring  in 
the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles,  and  let  the  Redeemer  speedily 
return  in  his  glory  to  bless  the  earth. 

0  hear  me,  not  according  to  my  feeble  words,  but  thine 
own  infinite  grace  and  mercy  in  Christ  Jesus.  Amen, 

Our  Father,  &c. 

PRAYER  AT  NOON  DAY, 

Psalm  Iv.  16,  17.  "  As  for  me,  I  will  call  upon  God, 
and  the  Lord  shall  save  me.  In  the  evening,  and  morning, 
and  at  noon,  will  1  pray  and  cry  aloud  :  and  he  siiall 
hear  my  voice." 

O  my  Father,  full  of  mercy  and  loving-kindness,  holi- 
ness, and  truth,  it  is  my  privilege  at  all  times,  through  the 
power  of  thine  own  Spirit,  to  come  into  thy  presence  by 
Christ  Jesus,  and  to  let  my  requests  be  made-  known  unto 
thee  by  prayer  and  supplication  witli  thanksgiving.  Give 
me  the  full  enjoyment  of  this  blessing.  Tell  me,  0  thou 
whom  my  soul  loveth,  where  thou  feedest,  where  thou 
niakest  thy  flock  to  rest  at  noon  :  and  may  I  find  repose 
and  provision  with  thy  people.  Be  my  shepherd,  restore 
my  soul,  and  lead  me  in  the  paths  of  righteousness  for  thy 
name's  sake. 

0  my  God,  I  live  in  the  midst  of  a  world  lying  in  wicked- 


384 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


ness,  and  my  own  heart  is  deceitful  above  all  things  and 
desperately  wicked,  and  I  have  no  helper  but  thyself  ;  no 
Saviour  but  God  my  Saviour.  Help  me  then  ever  to  de- 
light myself  in  thee,  to  commit  my  way  unto  thee,  and  to 
trust  in  thee  !  and  do  thou  thyself  work  in  me  to  will  and 
to  do  of  thy  good  pleasure,  and  bring  forth  my  righteous- 
ness as  the  light,  and  my  judgment  as  the  noon-day. 

0  give  me  grace,  while  in  the  world,  to  come  out  and  be 
separate  from  it,  and  have  no  fellowship  with  the  unfruit- 
ful works  of  darkness,  but  rather  to  reprove  them  !  Help 
me  to  live  as  a  stranger  and  pilgrim,  having  here  no  con- 
tinuing city,  but  seeking  one  to  come  ;  and  with  this  hope 
to  abstain  from  all  fleshly  lusts  which  war.against  the  soul. 
Make  me  a  real  blessing  to  all  around  me.  Give  me  a 
heart  ovei'flowing  with  tender  feelings  of  holy  love  to 
every  human  being  ;  as  made  by  thy  power,  redeemed  by 
thy  Son,  and  having  the  same  promises  with  myself  of 
thine  own  Spirit.  May  I  have  this  grace,  not  to  seek  mine 
own  things,  but  the  things  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  in  every 
thing  to  regard  his  approval  in  the  quickly  coming  day  of 
his  appearing.  For  that  appearing  may  I  be  constantly 
looking  and  preparing,  hasting  on  to  that  happy  kingdom 
where  we  sliall  see  his  face,  and  his  name  shall  be  on  our 
foreheads,  and  there  shall  be  no  night  there,  and  they  need 
no  candle  nor  light  of  the  sun,  for  the  Lord  God  giveth 
them  light,  and  they  shall  reign  for  ever  and  ever. 

What  thanks  I  owe  thee  for  such  hopes,  and  the  prospect 
of  such  a  glory  !  Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  all  that 
is  within  me  bless  his  holy  name,  who  redeemeth  thy  life 
from  destruction  and  crowneth  thee  with  loving-kindness 
and  tender  mercies.  Receive  my  prayer  and  thanksgivings 
through  him  who  hath  redeemed  me  with  his  own  blood. 
Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 

PRIVATE  EVENING  PRAYER. 

Matt.  vi.  6.  "  Thou,  when  thou  prayest,  enter  into  thy 
closet,  and  when  thou  hast  shut  tliy  door,  pray  to  thy 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


■385 


Father,  which  is  in  secret,  and  thy  Father,  which  seeth 
in  secret,  shall  reward  thee  openly." 

0  Lord,  my  God  and  my  Father,  who  seest  me  now  in 
secret,  and  hast  hid  me,  in  thy  word,  to  pour  out  my  heart 
before  thee,  help  me  now  to  call  upon  thy  holy  name, 
through  Jesus,  the  way  by  which  I  come  now  to  thee,  and 
by  his  Spirit,  through  whose  help  I  would  now  worship  thee. 

My  sins  are  very  many,  and  my  iniquities  prevail  against 
me  :  but  I  believe  thine  own  word,  Oh  help  my  unbelief, 
tliat  as  for  our  transgressions  thou  shalt  purge  them  away. 
0  God,  thou  knowest  my  foolishness,  and  my  sins  are  not 
hid  from  thee.  0  Lord,  pardon  mine  iniquity,  for  it  is 
great.  Make  thy  face  to  shine  upon  thy  servant,  and  save 
me  for  thy  mercies'  sake.  Help  me,  0  God  of  my  sal- 
vation, for  the  gloj-y  of  thy  name,  and  deliver  me,  and 
purge  away  my  sins,  for  thy  name's  sake. 

0  how  great  is  thy  goodness,  in  revealing  thyself  to  me 
as  a  God  pardoning  iniquity,  transgression,  and  sin  ;  a  just 
God,  and  yet  a  Saviour  !  Help  me  then  to  return  with  my 
whole  heart  unto  thyself,  who  hast  redeemed  me.  Grant 
that  I  may  indulge  no  allowed  sin  in  my  heart  or  in  my 
life.  Enable  me  to  forsake  every  evil  way,  and  have 
respect  unto  all  thy  commandments.  May  thy  testimonies 
be  my  counsellor,  and  may  I  delight  to  do  thy  will. 

0  my  God,  give  me  the  joy  of  thy  salvation.  Help  me 
to  trust  in  tliy  holy  name,  that  my  heart  may  rejoice  in 
thee  always,  and  God  may  be  my  exceeding  joy,  and  the 
portion  of  my  inheritance  and  my  cup. 

1  pray  thee  to  deliver  me  from  the  mere  form  of  godli- 
ness, and  give  me  its  lively  and  joyful  reality.  May  I 
have  true  fellowsliip  with  the  Father,  and  with  his  Son 
Jesus  Christ.  May  thy  word  be  the  daily  food  of  my  soul, 
and  the  nourishment  of  all  lively,  holy,  and  spiritual  affec- 
tions in  me,  and  may  thy  Holy  Spii'it  constantly  dwell  in 
me.  Keep  me  watchful,  and  looking  for  the  coming  of  the 
day  of  Christ,  that  I  may  always  be  ready  for  the  return 
of  him  who  is  my  Lord  and  my  Judge,  my  King  and  my 
Redeemer. 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


And  everywhere  may  thy  people  come  behind  in  no  gift 
or  grace,  waiting  for  the  coming  of  the  Lord.  0  make 
ready  a  people  prepared  for  him.  Think  of  thy  covenant, 
that  in  the  seed  of  Abraham  all  nations  shall  be  blessed, 
for  the  earth  is  full  of  darkness,  sin,  and  cruelty.  May 
thy  people  everywhere  have  grace  to  be  as  the  salt,  with  all 
its  savour,  seasoning  and  preserving  the  earth  from  corrup- 
tion. May  thy  blessing  rest  on  my  own  family,  my  own 
relations,  my  own  ministers,  and  church  and  country.  O 
our  God,  bless  us  with  all  spiritual  things,  in  heavenly 
things  in  Christ  Jesus,  for  his  name's  sake.  Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 

I.ITANY,  TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  FRENCH  WITH 
ALTERATIONS. 

0  God,  the  Heavenly  Father,  have  mercy  upon  us,  mise- 
rable sinners. 

0  God  the  Son,  the  Saviour  of  the  world,  have  mercy 
upon  us,  miserable  sinners. 

0  God  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Comforter,  have  mercy  upon 
us,  miserable  sinners. 

Spare  us,  O  thou  tbe  one  living  and  true  God,  and  let 
thy  grace  speedily  help  us. 

Pardon  all  our  great  and  many  iniquities.  Give  us  true 
faith  and  repentance.  Keep  us  from  all  sin,  from  all 
error,  from  all  evil :  protect  us  from  the  wiles  and  snares 
of  the  devil ;  from  sudden  and  unhappy  death;  from  pes- 
tilence and  famine  ;  from  war,  and  the  shedding  of  blood  ; 
from  sedition  and  discord  ;  from  storm  and  tempest  ;  from 
fire  and  wicked  men,  and  from  eternal  death,  "  Good  Lord, 
spare  us." 

0  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  help  us  by  the  merits  of  thy  holy 
birth,  by  thy  bitter  sufferings,  by  thy  bloody  sweat,  by  thy 
agony,  by  thy  painful  death  on  the  cross,  by  thy  resurrec- 
tion, and  by  thy  ascension. 

At  the  hour  of  death,  and  in  the  day  of  judgment,  help 
us,  0  Lord. 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYER?. 


387 


Although  we  are  unworthy  sinners,  yet,  we  beseech  thee, 
"  Great  God,  to  hear  us." 

Glorify  tliy  name  through  the  earth. 

Rule  and  govern  thy  holy  Christian  church. 

Maintain  all  its  bishops,  pastors,  and  ministers,  in  the 
doctrine  of  salvation,  and  in  holiness  of  life. 

Deliver  and  keep  thy  church  from  evil  and  mercenary 
pastors. 

Prevent  all  divisions,  schisms,  and  offences. 

Bring  back  those  who  are  in  error,  and  wandering  from 
thee,  and  bruise  Satan  under  our  feet. 

Send  faithful  labourers  into  thy  harvest. 

Make  thy  word  powerful  to  convert,  save,  and  bless, 
through  thy  Spirit.  Comfort  by  it  afflicted  hearts.  Sup- 
port, by  thy  divine  consolations,  all  those  who,  tried  by 
violent  temptations,  are  cast  down  in  spirit. 

"  O  Lord,  hear  us." 

Establish  between  the  kings,  princes,  and  lords  of  the 
earth,  concord  ;  and  give  peace  with  thyself  everywhere. 

Bless  our  gracious  Queen.  May  her  reign  promote  the 
advancement  of  thy  kingdom  and  the  good  of  thy  church  ; 
and  may  she  ever  be  victorious  over  thy  enemies.  Guide 
all  her  counsellors  with  thy  Spirit,  to  maintain  thy  truth 
among  us. 

Enlighten,  guide,  and  protect  our  magistrates,  and  all  thy 
people. 

Bring  down  and  subdue  to  Jesus  Christ  all  power  con- 
trary to  his  kingdom. 

Grant  help  to  those  who  are  in  danger,  and  in  any 
necessity. 

Assist  women  with  child,  and  bless  those  who  nurse 
young  children. 

Take  care  of  infants  and  youth,  and  cause  them  to  be 
brought  up  in  thy  fear. 

Comfort  and  heal  the  sick. 

Deliver  all  captives  and  innocent  prisoners. 

Be  the  protector  of  widows  and  the  father  of  orphans. 

Make  thy  compassions  to  shine  on  all  men,  both  Jews 


388 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


and  Gentiles,  and  bring  them  to  the  knowledge  of  thy 
truth,  that  they  may  be  saved. 

Pardon  our  enemies,  our  persecutors  and  slanderers,  and 
convert  tliem. 

Give  fruitfulness  to  the  earth,  and  preserve  its  produc- 
tions for  our  use. 

"Lord,  hear  us.    0  Jesus  Christ,  Son  of  God,  hear  us." 

Lamb  of  God,  who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world, 
be  favourable  to  us,  and  grant  us  thy  peace.  "  0  Christ, 
hear  us." 

O  Lord,  deal  not  with  us  according  to  our  sins,  and 
render  not  to  us  according  to  our  iniquities. 

Almighty  God,  who  rejectest  not  the  sighs  of  contrite 
hearts,  and  despisest  not  the  holy  desires  of  those  who  call 
upon  tliee  in  their  misery,  regard  with  thy  favour  the 
prayer  which  we  now,  in  our  necessities,  make  to  thee, 
and  hear  us  through  thy  mercy  ;  that  all  the  evil  designs 
of  the  devil,  or  of  men,  may  be  overthrown  and  brought 
to  nothing  by  the  counsels  of  thy  goodness.  So  that  we, 
being  victorious  over  all  temptations,  may  give  thee  thanks 
with  thy  saints,  and  glorify  thee  for  ever,  by  Jesus  Christ, 
our  only  Saviour,  Amen. 

MORNIiN'G  PRAYER  FOR  A  LABOURER. 

Gen.  iii.  19.  "  In  the  sweat  of  thy  face  shalt  thou  eat 
bread,  till  thou  return  unto  the  ground,  for  out  of  it  wast 
thou  taken  ;  for  dust  thou  art  and  unto  dust  shalt  thou 
return." 

Most  merciful  Father  who  hast  given  me,  though  dust 
and  ashes  in  thy  sight,  and  most  unworthy  of  thy  favour, 
those  hours  of  sleep,  which  are  so  sweet  to  the  wearj'',  I  | 
give  thee  thanks  for  last  night's  rest,  and  this  morning's 
fresh  health  and  strength.  All  praise  be  unto  thee,  espe- 
cially for  that  gracious  Saviour,  who  carried  our  sorrows 
and  bore  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on  the  tree  ;  he  is  the 
true  Sun  of  Righteousness,  and  may  his  light  and  love 
ever  direct,  cheer,  and  comfort  my  soul. 

May  I  now  go  forth  to  niy  labour  as  a  true  follower  of 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


389 


the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  do  his  will  and  glorify  his  name. 
Give  me  thy  grace  that  I  may  diligently,  patiently,  and 
faithfully  serve  niy  earthly  master,  as  the  willing  servant 
of  Christ. 

Tliou  hast  in  wisdom  and  love  appointed  toil  and  labour 
for  man,  and  that  in  the  sweat  of  his  face  he  should  eat 
bread.  Teach  me  by  this  both  the  bitter  fruit  of  sin,  and 
thy  willingness  that  I  should  be  delivered  from  the  power 
and  love  of  sin.  Teach  me  also  to  labour  for  the  meat 
that  endureth  to  everlasting  life,  which  the  Son  of  Man 
shall  give  me.  Though  poor  in  this  world,  make  me  rich 
in  faith,  and  an  heir  of  the  kingdom  which  thou  hast 
promised  to  them  that  love  thee,  and  enable  me  both  to 
hope  and  quietly  wait  for  that  heavenly  kingdom. 

Especially,  give  me  thy  Holy  Spirit  to  guide  and  com- 
fort, to  sanctify  and  strengthen  me  and  my  family,  and 
friends,  and  neigliliours,  and  all  who  love  thee,  this  and 
every  day,  tlirougli  Jesus  my  Redeemer. 

Our  Father,  &c. 

EVENING  PRAYER  FOR  A  LABOURER. 

Matt.  xi.  28.  "  Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  labour  and  are 
heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest." 

Almighty  God,  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  how  good  art  thou  in  permitting  poor  sinners  to 
come  near  unto  thee  by  Jesus  Clirist  !  How  kind  and 
gracious  is  that  Redeemer  who  says,  come  unto  me  all  ye 
that  labour  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest ! 

Lord  Jesus,  I  come  to  thee  to  find  rest  for  my  soul.  Help 
me  to  take  thy  easy  yoke  and  thy  light  burden  upon  me, 
and  learn  of  thee,  for  truly  thy  ways  are  ways  of  pleasant- 
ness, and  all  tliy  paths  are  peace. 

Oh,  heavenly  Father,  by  thine  own  Spirit  draw  me  to 
Christ,  that  I  may  know  him  as  my  complete  Saviour  ; 
who  loved  me  even  unto  death,  and  whose  blood  has  washed 
away  all  my  sins.  0  give  me  sure  trust  in  liim  the  Lamb 
of  God  that  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world. 

Many  things  have  I  done  wrong  this  day,  but  forgive 


390 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


them  all  for  thy  dear  Son's  sake,  and  give  me  grace  to  be 
more  watchful,  and  to  look  more  to  thee  for  the  time  to 
come  for  thy  help  and  strength. 

Send  thy  glorious  gospel  through  the  earth,  and  let  thy 
happy  kingdom  speedily  be  established  in  the  whole  world. 
Take  me  and  mine  under  thy  care  this  night,  and  give  us 
quiet  and  refreshing  sleep,  for  J esus'  sake. 

Our  Father,  &c. 

PRAYER  FOR  A  LABOURER'S  WIFE. 

Prov.  XXX.  27.  "  She  looketli  well  to  the  ways  of  her 
household,  and  eateth  not  the  bread  of  idleness  ;  her  chil- 
dren arise  up,  and  call  her  blessed  ;  her  husband  also,  and 
he  praiseth  her." 

0  thou  from  whom  comes  every  good  gift,  and  wlio  hast 
said  in  tliy  word,  a  prudent  wife  is  from  the  Lord  ;  thou 
hast  called  me  to  this  state  of  life,  and  I  entreat  thee  give 
me  grace  that  I  may  be  that  full  blessing  to  my  husband, 
and  children,  and  family,  that  thou  wouldest  have  me  to 
be.  What  can  I  do  of  myself;  even  nothing;  but  thy 
grace  is  sufficient  for  rae  ;  help  me  to  look  well  to  the  ways 
of  my  own  household,  and  by  forethought,  care,  and  pru- 
dence, provide  for  them  of  what  thou  givest  to  us. 

Give  me  a  spirit  of  constant  industry,  and  make  me 
happy  in  my  work.  And  oh,  especially  give  me  grace  to 
watch  over  my  dear  children.  Let  me  not  spoil  them  by 
over  indulgence,  nor  allow  anj'  evil  way  in  them,  but  may 
I  daily  bring  them  up  for  thee  ;  may  I  fulfil  all  my 
marriage  vows  to  my  husband,  and  submit  to  him,  and 
make  his  home  happy  by  my  constant  endeavours  to  do 
him  good  ;  so,  in  all  things  may  I  seek  to  adorn  the  doc- 
trine of  Christ  with  the  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet 
spirit  ;  and  to  be  subject  to  my  husband  as  the  church  is 
to  Christ.    Hear  me  for  his  name's  sake. 

Our  Father,  &c. 

PRAYER  FOR  HUSBAND  AND  WIFE  TOGETHER. 


1  Peter  iii.  7.    "  Ye  husbands,  dwell  with  them  accord- 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


891 


ing  to  knowledge,  giving  honour  unto  the  wife  as  unto  the 
weaker  vessel,  and  as  being  heirs  together  of  the  grace  of 
life,  that  your  prayers  be  not  hindered." 

Almighty  Father,  who  hast  united  us  together  in  the 
strong,  and  tender,  and  lasting  bonds  of  marriage,  but 
without  whose  blessing  we  can  have  no  solid  comfort  in 
each  other  as  husband  and  wife,  we  kneel  together  now  at 
thy  mercy  seat  to  ask  for  thy  blessing.  0  may  we  feel 
that  we  have  come  together,  not  only  to  be  a  help  and 
comfort  to  each  other  for  this  world,  but  also  for  thy 
heavenly  kingdom  ;  and  may  we  ever  seek  first  the  king- 
dom of  God,  and  thy  righteousness  for  ourselves,  and  all 
our  dear  family.  Help  us  to  fulfil  our  duties  to  each  other. 
May  the  husband  gain  full  knowledge  of  thy  truth  and  de- 
light in  it,  that  he  may  dwell  with  his  wife,  according  to 
knowledge  ;  may  he  love  her  as  Christ  loved  the  church, 
and  gave  himself  for  it,  and  be  ever  preserved  from  all 
bitterness  against  her.  May  she  have  grace  to  submit  to 
him  in  the  Lord,  and  according  to  thy  word.  Slay  we  both 
have  one  heart  and  one  mind  in  bringing  up  our  children 
in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  0,  according 
to  thy  most  gracious  promise,  pour  thy  Spirit  upon  our 
seed,  and  thy  blessing  upon  our  offspring,  that  each  child 
may  be  joined  to  the  Lord,  and  devoted  to  him  from  its 
very  youth.  Provide  for  us  all,  bless  us  all,  and  do  us  good 
now  and  evermore,  through  Jesus  our  Redeemer. 

Our  Father,  &c. 

PRAYER  FOR  A  SERVANT. 

Gen.  xxiv.  12,  "  Send  me  good  speed  this  day,  and 
shew  kindness  unto  my  master." 

0  thou  who  art  the  king  of  glory,  and  who  being  in  the 
form  of  God,  tliought  it  not  robbery  to  be  equal  with  God, 
yet  in  infinite  compassion  to  us  sinners,  left  that  glory,  and 
took  upon  thee  the  form  of  a  servant  and  humbled  thyself 
to  the  death  of  the  cross  for  our  redemption,  help  me  ever 
to  rejoice  in  thy  great  salvation.  I  am  indeed  very  sinful 
and  evil,  but  thou  didst  bear  my  iniquities  and  art  now 


392 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


my  living  Saviour.  Give  me  grace  to  see  that  thou  hast 
in  wisdom  and  love  appointed  my  station  for  me,  and  being 
made  free  by  the  truth,  may  I  be  obedient  to  my  earthly 
master,  not  with  eye-service,  as  a  man-pleaser,  but  as  the 
servant  of  Christ,  doing  the  will  of  God  from  the  heart, 
with  goodwill,  doing  service,  as  unto  the  Lord,  and  not  to 
men.  Lord,  give  me  grace  to  count  my  master  worthy  of 
all  honour,  lest  thy  name  and  thy  doctrine  be  reproached. 
Lord,  shew  kindness  to  my  master,  and  bless  him.  Make 
me  faithful  to  his  interests,  patient  under  reproof,  not  an- 
swering again,  nor  purloining,  but  shewing  all  good  fidelity 
in  all  things  that  I  may  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God  my 
Saviour.  Thus  help  me,  0  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  glorify 
thy  name,  who  hast  bought  me  with  thine  own  blood,  and 
to  whom,  with  the  Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  all 
honour  and  glory  now  and  evermore. 

youth's  prayer. 

Eccles.  xii.  1.  "  Remember  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days 
of  thy  youth  ;  while  the  evil  days  come  not,  nor  the  years 
draw  nigh  when  thou  shalt  say  I  have  no  pleasure  in  them." 

0  my  Father,  who  art  the  guide  of  my  youth,  and  my 
only  defender  from  all  the  temptations  and  dangers  to 
which  I  am  exposed,  I  come  unto  thee  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ,  to  be  taught  and  led  by  thine  own  Spirit  in 
the  way  of  everlasting  life. 

1  am  weak  and  ignorant,  sinful  and  helpless,  and  though 
young  in  years,  the  imaginations  of  my  heart  have  been 
evil  from  my  earliest  youth  to  this  day.  0  Lord,  forgive 
all  my  folly  and  vanity,  my  evil  words  and  my  sinful  ac- 
tions, and  my  forgetfulness  of  thee.  Pardon  every  thing 
I  have  done  wrong,  and  help  me  really  to  believe  thy 
forgiving  love,  because  thou  ga vest  thy  Son  Jesus  to  suffer 
for  my  sins,  and  to  bring  me  back  to  tiiyself. 

I  implore  thy  grace  to  assist  me  to  remember  thee  my 
Creator  now  while  I  am  young.  Teach  me  to  follow  thy 
directions  for  a  young  man's  cleansing  his  way  aright,  by 
taking  heed  thereto  according  to  thy  word.    Grant  that  I 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


893 


may  ever  so  attend  to  thy  word  as  to  fiud  it  a  lamp  to  my 
feet  and  a  light  to  my  path,  giving  me  true  wisdom  in  the 
midst  of  the  many  snares  and  deceits,  and  temptations  of 
this  sinful  world  :  for  Christ's  sake. 

PRAYER  FOR  A  LITTLE  CHILD. 

Mark  x.  14.  "  Jesus  said,  Suffer  little  children  to  come 
unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom 
of  heaven." 

Almighty  God,  mymost  merciful  Father,  liear  the  prayer 
of  a  little  child.  Help  me  to  know  the  great  love  which 
thou  hast  towards  me,  a  sinful  cliild.  Make  me  a  good 
cliild  ;  make  me  try  to  do  what  my  father  and  mother  bid 
me,  and  to  be  kind  and  gentle  to  every  body.  Give  me 
all  tliat  is  good,  and  take  from  me  all  that  is  evil.  Give  me- 
thy  own  Spirit  that  I  may  learn  to  love  Jesus  Christ  and 
follow  him,  and  be  one  of  his  little  lambs.  Forgive  all 
that  I  have  done  naughty  in  tliy  sight,  for  Jesu's  sake.  I 
thank  God  wiio  seat  iris  own  Son  to  die  for  me,  and  who 
takes  care  of  me  every  day.  Pray  God  bless  my  father 
and  mother,  brothers  and  sisters,  and  every  body,  for  Jesus 
Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

A  child's   morning  PRAYER. 

Prov.  viii.  17.  "  I  love  them  that  love  me,  and  those 
that  seek  me  early  shall  find  me." 

Almighty  and  merciful  God,  look  upon  a  sinful  child, 
and  teach  me  to  pray  to  thee.  I  thank  thee  for  taking  care 
of  me  all  this  night.  Give  me  thy  Holy  Spirit,  that  I  may 
try  to  be  good  this  day,  and  tliat  I  may  please  Jesus,  who 
came  to  die  for  my  sins.  May  I  love  him  with  all  my 
heart,  obey  my  dear  father  and  mother,  be  patient  and  dili- 
gent with  my  teacher,  and  gentle  and  kind  to  my  brothers 
and  sisters.  Put  away  from  me  lying  and  vanity.  Do 
thou  help  me  in  learning  my  lessons  this  day,  and  make 
me  try  to  be  useful  to  my  parents.  Take  away  my  naughty 
heart,  and  give  me  a  new  heart  and  a  new  spirit.  Forgive 
me  all  that  I  have  done  wrong.    Wash  away  my  sins  in 


394 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Jesu's  blood.  I  thank  thee,  Lord,  for  giving  me  food  and 
clothes,  and  friends  to  take  care  of  me  ;  but  still  more,  for 
sending  thine  own  Son  to  die  for  me.  Bless  my  father  and 
mother,  brothers  and  sisters,  minister  and  teacher,  and  all 
whom  I  love,  and  all  who  love  thee.  Pray  God  bless  the 
Jews  also,  and  the  heathen,  and  every  body,  for  Jesu's 
sake.  Amen. 
Our  Father,  &c. 

A  child's  evening  prayer. 

Isaiah  xliv.  3.  "  I  will  pour  my  Spirit  upon  thy  seed, 
and  my  blessing  upon  thine  offspring." 

Lord  Jesus,  who  hast  said,  suffer  little  children  to  come 
unto  me,  teach  me  this  night  to  pray.  Forgive  me  all 
that  I  have  done  wrong  this  day.  LHere  say  what  you 
think  has  been  wrong.]  Oh  keep  me  from  again  com- 
mitting the  same  sins.  Make  me  really  sorry  for  my  sins. 
Wash  them  away  in  thy  blood,  and  give  me  sweet  peace 
with  God  my  Fatlier.  Take  away  my  naughty  heart, 
and,  according  to  thy  most  merciful  promises,  pour  out 
thy  Spirit  and  thy  blessing  upon  me,  that  when  I  die  I 
may  live  with  thee  in  holiness  and  happiness.  Oh  may 
I  be  ready  for  my  Saviour's  coming  again,  and  dwell  in 
thy  heavenly  kingdom  for  ever.  Take  care  of  me  this 
night,  give  me  quiet  sleep,  and  may  I  awake  in  the  morn- 
ing to  serve  thee. 

I  thank  my  merciful  and  heavenly  Father  for  taking 
care  of  me  all  day,  and  keeping  me  from  harm,  and  for  all 
the  good  things  which  thou  hast  given  me,  but  most  of  all 
that  Jesus  died  and  rose  again,  and  now  lives  in  heaven,  a 
mighty  Saviour  for  me.  Bless  my  dear  father  and  mother, 
brotliers  and  sisters  ;  bless  my  minister  and  teacher  ;  bless 
all  whom  I  love,  and  every  body,  for  Jesu's  sake.  Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 

private  prayer  for  SUNDAY  MORNING. 

Psalm  cxviii.  24.  "  This  is  the  day  which  the  Lord  hath 
made,  we  will  rejoice  and  be  glad  in  it." 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS, 


395 


0  thou  great,  and  good,  and  Almighty  God,  who  art  in 
heaven  above,  and  hearest  us  who  are  living  here  below, 
and  carest  for  us  day  by  day,  thanks  be  to  thee  for  the 
Sabbath  day.  In  thy  thoughts  of  mercy  to  us  thou  hast 
commanded  us  to  remember  the  sabbath  day,  and  keep  it 
holy  :  fill  niy  heart,  then,  with  thy  Spirit,  that  it  may  be 
my  delight  to  keep  it  holy. 

0  teach  me  thy  wonderful  love,  in  giving  thy  Son  Jesus 
to  die  for  a  sinful  world,  and  a  sinful  creature  like  me,  and 
to  rise  again,  as  on  this  day,  to  be  my  living  Saviour.  May 
1  love  this  day  as  the  best  of  tlie  days  in  the  week,  because 
it  is  the  day,  given  us  for  thy  worship  and  service,  and 
shewing  us  the  happiness  yet  in  store  for  us  in  thy  hea- 
venly kingdom. 

May  I  go  to  thy  house  with  a  joyful  and  grateful  heart, 
and  when  there  may  I  remember  that  God  is  a  sjiirit,  and 
seeks  those  to  worship  him,  who  worship  him  in  spirit  and 
in  truth.  Oh  send  thine  own  Spirit  into  my  heart,  to  help 
me  thus  to  pray  and  thus  to  praise.  Keep  me  from  vain 
and  trifling  thoughts.  Open  my  heart  to  attend  to  thy 
word,  and  to  what  I  shall  hear  from  thy  minister.  May  I 
keep  in  memory  through  the  week  what  I  learn  this  day. 
Oh  Lord,  let  thy  word  preached  by  thy  servants  here  and 
in  all  the  eai-th  be  powerful,  liy  thy  grace,  to  convert  and 
to  save  innumerable  precious  souls,  and  to  comfort  and 
profit  all  thy  people.  Esp.  cially  bless  my  minister  with 
abundance  of  grace,  and  all  my  dear  relations  and  friends, 
and  fill  their  souls  with  all  heavenly  blessings  this  day,  for 
Jesus  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

PRIVATE  PRAYER  FOR  SUNDAY  EVENING, 

Isaiah  liii.  11.  "  By  his  knowledge  shall  my  righteous 
servant  justify  many,  for  he  shall  bear  their  iniquities." 

Almighty  Fatiier,  wliat  thanks  I  owe  to  thee  that  I  live 
in  a  Christian  land,  where  thy  holy  day  is  observed,  and 
thy  house  is  open,  and  thy  ministers  have  full  liberty  to 
preach  tliy  word,  and  I  can  hear  it,  and  have  so  many  ad- 
vantages for  becoming  wise  unto  salvation.  And  since  thou- 


396 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


sauds  and  tens  of  thousands,  millions  and  tens  of  millions, 
are  now  living  in  the  earth  without  these  blessings  :  Oh 
pity  them,  and  send  thy  gospel  to  them  ;  and  give  me 
grace  really  to  prize  my  greater  mercies,  and  duly  to  profit 
by  them. 

How  much  I  need  thy  grace  ;  for  how  wicked  it  is  to 
draw  near  to  thee  with  our  lips  while  our  heart  is  far  from 
thee  :  and  where  was  my  heart  this  day  !  Oh  my  God, 
thou  hast  seen  every  vain,  every  foolish,  and  every  wander- 
ing thought,  while  others  could  see,  perhaps,  nothing  but 
seriousness  and  devotion.  Forgive,  oh  forgive,  the  great 
sins  of  my  holy  things,  and  help  me  to  look  with  faith, 
and  love,  and  joy,  to  that  blessed  Saviour  who  bears  my 
iniquities.  Through  him  may  I  gain  that  peace  which  I 
can  no  where  else  obtain,  and  daily  may  I  grow  in  grace 
and  in  the  knowledge  of  my  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 

Help  me  also  now  to  be  a  doer  of  thy  word  ;  honouring 
all  in  authority  over  me,  and  loving  all  men,  and  especially 
those  who  love  thee  ;  help  me  to  be  obedient  to  thy  truth, 
attentive  to  all  my  duties,  and  above  all  to  remember  thee, 
my  Creator,  and  seek  thee  in  this  accepted  time,  and  this 
day  of  salvation,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 


FAMILY  PRAYERS. 

Forms  of  Prayer  to  le  used  in  Families.    From  the  Liturgy 
of  the  American  Episcopal  Church. 

MORNING  PRAYER. 

The  master,  or  mistress,  having  called  together  as  many  of  the  family  as 
can  conveniently  be  present,  let  one  of  them,  or  any  other  whom  they  shall 
think  proper,  say  as  follows,  all  kneeling  :— 

Our  Father  who  art  in  heaven,  hallowed  be  thy  name  ; 
thy  kingdom  come  ;  thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is  in 
heaven  ;  give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread  ;  and  forgive  us 
our  trespasses,  as  we  forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us  ; 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


397 


and  lead  us  not  into  temptation  ;  but  deliver  us  from  evil ; 
for  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory,  for 
ever  and  ever.  Amen. 

Almighty  and  everlasting  God,  in  whom  we  live,  and 
move,  and  have  our  being  ;  we,  thy  needy  creatures,  ren- 
der thee  our  humble  praises,  for  thy  preservation  of  us  from 
the  beginning  of  our  lives  to  this  day,  and  especially  for 
having  delivered  us  from  the  dangers  of  the  past  night.  To 
thy  watchful  providence  we  owe  it  that  no  disturbances 
have  come  nigh  us  or  our  dwelling,  but  that  we  are 
brought  in  safety  to  the  beginning  of  this  day.  [When 
disturbances  of  any  kind  befal  a  family,  instead  of  this, 
say — that  notwithstanding  our  dangers,  we  are  brought  in 
safety  to  the  beginning  of  this  day,]  For  these  thy  mer- 
cies we  bless  and  magnify  thy  glorious  name  ;  humbly 
beseecliing  thee  to  accept  this  our  morning  sacrifice  of 
praise  and  thanksgiving,  for  his  sake  who  lay  down  in  tlie 
grave,  and  rose  again  for  us,  thy  Son,  our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ.  Amen, 

Dedication  of  ourselves  to  God. 

And  since  it  is  of  thy  mercy,  0  gracious  Father,  that 
another  day  is  added  to  our  lives,  we  hei-e  dedicate  both 
our  souls  and  our  bodies  to  thee  and  to  tliy  service,  in  a 
sober,  rigliteous,  and  godly  life.  In  which  resolution  do 
thou,  O  merciful  God,  confirm  and  strengthen  us  ;  tliat  as 
we  grow  in  age  we  may  grow  in  grace,  and  in  tlie  know- 
ledge of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 

Prcu/er  for  Grace. 

But,  0  God,  who  knowest  the  weakness  and  corruption 
of  our  nature,  and  the  manifold  temptations  which  we  daily 
meet  with,  we  humbly  beseecli  thee  to  have  compassion  on 
our  infirmities,  and  to  give  us  the  constant  assistance  of 
thy  Holy  Spirit,  that  we  may  be  effectually  restrained  from 
sin  and  excited  to  our  duty.  Imprint  upon  our  hearts 
such  a  dread  of  thy  judgments,  and  such  a  grateful  sense  of 
thy  goodness  to  us,  as  may  make  us  both  afraid  and 


398 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


ashamed  to  offend  thee.  And,  above  all,  keep  in  our  minds 
a  lively  remembrance  of  that  great  day,  in  which  we  must 
give  a  strict  account  of  our  thoughts,  words,  and  actions  : 
and,  according  to  the  works  done  in  the  body,  be  eternally 
rewarded  or  punished,  by  him  whom  thou  hast  appointed 
the  judge  of  (juick  and  dead,  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.  Amen. 

In  particular  we  imploi'e  thy  grace  and  protection  for 
the  ensuing  day.  Keep  us  temperate  in  our  meats  and 
drinks,  and  diligent  in  our  several  callings.  Grant  us 
patience  under  any  afi9ictions  thou  shalt  see  fit  to  lay  on 
us,  and  minds  always  contented  with  our  present  condition. 
Give  us  grace  to  be  just  and  upright  in  our  dealings  ;  quiet 
and  peaceable  ;  full  of  compassion  ;  and  ready  to  do  good 
to  all  men,  according  to  our  abilities  and  opportunities. 
[Direct  us  in  all  our  ways,  and  prosper  the  works  of  our 
hands  in  the  business  of  our  several  stations.]  [0?i  Sunday 
morning,  instead  of  this,  say — and  let  thy  Holy  Spirit  ac- 
company us  to  the  place  of  thy  public  worship,  making  us 
serious  and  attentive,  and  raising  our  minds  from  thethoughts 
of  this  world,  to  the  consideration  of  the  next ;  that  we  may 
fervently  join  in  the  prayers  and  praises  of  thy  church,  and 
listen  to  our  duty  with  honest  hearts,  in  order  to  practise  it.'] 
Defend  us  from  all  dangers  and  adversities  ;  and  be  gra- 
ciously pleased  to  take  us,  and  all  things  belonging  to  us, 
under  thy  fatherly  care  and  protection.  These  things,  and 
whatsoever  else  thou  shalt  see  necessary  and  convenient  for 
us,  we  humbly  beg,  through  the  merits  and  mediation  of 
thy  Son  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord  and  Saviour.  Amen. 

The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of  God, 
and  the  fellowship  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  with  us  all  ever- 
more. Amen. 

EVENING  PRAYER. 

The  family  being  together,  a  little  before  bed-time,  let  the  master  or 
mistress,  or  any  other  whom  they  shall  think  proper,  say  as  follows,  all 
kneeling : 

Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven,  hallowed  be  thy  name  ; 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRATERS. 


399 


thy  kingdom  come  ;  thy  will  be  done  on  earth,  as  it  is  in 
heaven  ;  give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread  ;  and  forgive  us 
our  trespasses,  as  we  forgive  those  who  trespass  against  us ; 
and  lead  us  not  into  temptation  ;  but  deliver  us  from  evil  : 
for  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory,  for 
ever  and  ever.  Amen. 

Confession. 

Most  merciful  God,  who  art  of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold 
iniquity,  and  hast  promised  forgiveness  to  all  those  who 
confess  and  forsake  their  sins  ;  we  come  before  thee  in  an 
humble  sense  of  our  own  un worthiness,  acknowledging  our 
manifold  transgressions  of  thy  righteous  laws.  \JIe're  let 
him  who  reads  make  a  short  2>ause,  that  every  one  m/xy  secretly 
confess  the  sins  and  failings  of  that  day.]  But,  0  gracious 
Father,  who  desirest  not  the  death  of  a  sinner,  look  upon 
us,  we  beseech  thee,  in  mercy,  and  forgive  us  all  our  trans- 
gressions. Make  us  deeply  sensible  of  the  great  evil  of 
them  ;  and  work  in  us  an  hearty  contrition  ;  that  we  may 
obtain  forgiveness  at  thy  hands,  who  art  ever  ready  to 
receive  humble  and  penitent  sinners  ;  for  the  sake  of  thy 
Son  Jesus  Christ,  our  only  Saviour  and  Redeemer.  Amen. 

Prayer  for  Grace. 

And  lest,  through  our  own  frailty,  or  the  temptations 
which  encompass  us,  we  be  drawn  again  into  sin,  vouch- 
safe us,  we  beseech  thee,  the  direction  and  assistance  of  thy 
Holy  Spirit.  Reform  whatever  is  amiss  in  the  temper  and 
disposition  of  our  souls,  that  no  unclean  thoughts,  unlaw- 
ful designs,  or  inordinate  desires,  may  rest  there.  Purge 
our  hearts  from  envy,  hatred,  and  malice,  that  we  may 
never  suffer  the  sun  to  go  down  upon  our  wrath,  but  may 
always  go  to  our  rest  in  peace,  cliarity,  and  good  will,  with 
a  conscience  void  of  offence  towards  thee  and  towards  men  : 
that  so  we  may  be  preserved  pure  and  blameless,  unto  the 
coming  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 


400 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Intercession. 

And  accept,  0  Lord,  our  intercessions  for  all  mankind. 
Let  the  light  of  thy  gospel  shine  upon  all  nations  ;  and 
may  as  many  as  have  received  it  live  as  becomes  it.  Be 
gracious  unto  thy  church,  and  grant  that  every  member  of 
the  same,  in  his  vocation  and  ministry,  may  serve  thee 
faithfully.  Bless  all  in  authority  over  us  ;  and  so  rule 
their  hearts  and  strengthen  their  hands,  that  they  may 
punish  wickedness  and  vice,  and  maintain  thy  true  reli- 
gion and  virtue.  Send  down  thy  blessings,  temporal  and 
spiritual,  upon  all  our  relations,  friends,  and  neighbours. 
Reward  all  who  have  done  us  good,  and  pardon  all  those 
who  have  done  or  wish  us  evil,  and  give  them  repentance 
and  better  minds.  Be  merciful  to  all  who  are  in  any 
trouble  ;  and  do  thou,  the  God  of  pity,  administer  to  them 
according  to  their  several  necessities,  for  His  sake  who 
went  about  doing  good,  thy  Son,  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ. 
Amen. 

TJianksgiving. 

To  our  prayers,  0  Lord,  we  join  our  unfeigned  thanks 
for  all  thy  mercies  ;  for  our  being,  our  reason,  and  all 
other  endowments  and  faculties  of  soul  and  body  ;  for  our 
wealth,  friends,  food,  and  raiment,  and  all  the  other  com- 
forts and  conveniences  of  life.  Above  all,  we  adore  thy 
mercy  in  sending  thy  only  Son  into  the  world,  to  redeem 
us  from  sin  and  eternal  death,  and  in  giving  us  the  know- 
ledge and  sense  of  our  duty  towards  thee.  We  bless  thee 
for  thy  patience  with  us,  notwithstanding  our  many  and 
great  provocations  ;  for  all  the  directions,  assistances,  and 
comforts  of  thy  Holy  Spirit ;  for  thy  continual  care  and 
watchful  providence  over  us  through  the  whole  course  of 
our  lives  ;  and  particularly  for  the  mercies  and  benefits  of 
the  past  day  :  beseeching  thee  to  continue  these  thy  bless- 
ings to  us,  and  to  give  us  grace  to  shew  our  thankfulness 
in  a  sincere  obedience  to  his  laws,  through  whose  merits 


THK  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


401 


and  intercession  we  received  them  all,  thy  Son,  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 

Prayer  for  Protection. 

In  particular,  we  beseech  thee  to  continue  thy  gracious 
protection  to  us  this  night.  Defend  us  from  all  dangers 
and  mischiefs,  and  from  the  fear  of  them,  that  we  may 
enjoy  such  refreshing  sleep  as  may  fit  us  for  the  duties  of 
the  following  day.  Make  us  ever  mindful  of  the  time 
when  we  shall  lie  down  in  the  dust ;  and  grant  us  grace 
always  to  live  in  such  a  state,  that  we  may  never  be  afraid 
to  die  :  so  that  living  and  dj'ing  we  may  be  thine,  through 
the  merits  and  satisfaction  of  tliy  Son  Christ  Jesus,  in 
whose  name  we  offer  up  these  our  imperfect  praj'ers. 
Amen. 

The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  love  of  God, 
and  the  fellowship  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  with  us  all,  ever- 
more. Amen. 

On  Sundays,  and  on  other  days,  when  it  may  be  convenient,  it  will  be 
proper  to  begin  with  a  chapter,  or  part  of  a  chapter,  from  the  New  Testament. 


SHORT  FAMILY  PRAYERS.* 

MORNING  FAMILY  PRAYER. 

Matt,  xviii.  20.  "  Where  two  or  three  are  gathered 
together  in  my  name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them." 

Almighty  Father,  according  to  thy  word,  we  thy  most 
sinful  creatures,  come  unto  thee  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ, 
and  ask  for  thy  Holy  Spirit  to  help  us  to  pray. 

We  thank  thee,  O  Father,  for  keeping  us  from  all  evil 
through  the  past  night,  giving  us  quiet  rest,  and  restoring 
us  in  peace  to  the  blessings  of  another  day.  We  praise 
thee  for  the  light  of  the  glorious  gospel,  and  for  the  free 

*  Theae  prayers  may  easily  be  enlarged  by  selections  from  the  other  prayers 
and  thanksgivings  of  this  work. 
+ 

+  2D 


402 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


pardon  of  all  our  sins  tlirough  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
thy  Son. 

We  beseech  thee,  help  us  to  walk  in  thy  ways  this  day. 
Give  us  grace  to  deny  ourselves,  and  teach  us  to  do  thy 
will.  Give  and  increase  in  us  true  and  living  faith  in  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  enable  us  to  love  hiiu  in  sincerity, 
and  to  love  others  for  his  sake.  Help  us  to  be  diligent  in 
our  appointed  work,  and  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the 
Lord.  0  may  thy  Holy  Spirit  dwell  in  us,  and  teach, 
guide,  uphold,  sanctify,  and  strengthen  us  this  day,  and 
all  our  days. 

Bless  all  thy  people  in  the  whole  earth,  especially  those 
who  are  known  to  us.  Bless  our  kindred,  our  friends, 
neighbours,  and  acquaintance,  and  may  they  all  partake 
fully  of  the  benefits  of  thy  gospel.  Look  in  mercy  upon 
the  poor  and  afflicted,  and  may  their  afflictions  be  blessed 
to  their  souls'  good.  And,  0  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  hasten 
thy  coming,  that  all  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  maj' 
speedily  become  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  his  Christ. 

Hear  us,  O  Father,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 

EVENING  FAMILY  PRAYER, 

Jude  20,  21 .  "  Building  up  yourselves  on  your  most 
holy  faith,  praying  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  keep  yourselves  in 
the  love  of  God,  looking  for  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  unto  eternal  life." 

Blessed  be  thou,  0  God,  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  for  all  the  mercies  bestowed  upon  us  this 
day.  It  is  through  thy  loving  kindness  that  we  have  been 
protected  and  provided  for,  helped  and  brought  in  peace 
together  around  thy  throne  of  grace.  But  above  all,  praise 
and  glory  be  to  thee  for  that  blessed  Saviour,  who  is  our 
life,  our  righteousness,  and  our  strength,  and  for  that 
Holy  Spirit  who  is  our  Teacher,  our  Guide,  and  our 
Comforter. 

We  come  to  thee  through  our  great  Mediator,  Jesus 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


40.3 


Christ,  confessing  our  many  sins.  We  have  not,  0  Lord, 
thought  of  thee,  nor  trusted  in  thee,  nor  loved  thee  as  we 
should  have  done  this  day.  In  many  things  we  have  all 
sinned  in  thy  sight,  and  we  have  not  glorified  thy  holy 
name.  We  have  lived  far  too  mucli  to  ourselves,  and 
have  not  lived  to  thee  and  to  tlie  good  of  others. 

Give  us  godly  sorrow  for  our  sins  ;  help  us  to  look  to 
Jesus  and  mourn  ;  there  is  forgiveness  with  thee  through 
his  redemption  :  forgive  us,  then,  all  our  transgi-essions 
for  his  sake,  and  assist  us  all  so  to  helieve  in  Christ  our 
Saviour,  that  we  may  he  filled  with  peace  and  love.  O 
renew  our  souls  by  thy  Holy  Spirit. 

Give  thy  blessing  to  us  as  a  family,  that  we  and  all  our 
relations  and  friends  may  walk  in  thy  ways.  Bless  and 
prosper  our  Queen,  and  all  in  authority  over  us.  Give 
grace  to  all  thy  ministers,  that  thy  word  may  have  free 
course  and  be  glorified  in  every  land. 

And  now  we  commend  ourselves  to  thy  care  this  night. 
O  thou  wlio  never  slumberest,  preserve  us  from  every  evil, 
and  refresh  us  by  that  rest  which  will  renew  our  strengtli 
for  the  duties  of  another  day,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord! 

Our  Father,  &c. 


SHORT  PRAYERS  TO  BE  ADDED  ON 
SPECIAL  OCCASIONS. 

IN  SICKNESS. 

Exod.  XV.  26.    "  I  am  the  Lord  that  healeth  thee." 

Look  in  mercy,  0  Lord,  upon  us  ;  heal  the  sick.  0  for- 
give all  our  sins,  and  heal  all  our  diseases,  that  we  may 
bless  thy  holy  name. 

IN  TROUBLE. 

Psalm  xlvi.  1.  "  God  is  our  refuge  and  strength,  a  very 
present  help  in  time  of  trouble." 

2  D  2 


404 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


Lord,  'we  are  in  much  trouble  ;  0  make  it  profitable  to 
us,  and  help  us  through  it,  that  we  may  see  thy  goodness 
and  glorify  thee. 

FOR  THE  lord's  DAY  MORNING. 

Isaiah  Iviii.  13.  "  If  thou  turn  away  thy  foot  from  the 
Sabbath,  from  doing  thy  pleasure  on  my  holy  day,  and  call 
the  Sabbath  a  delight,  the  holy  of  the  Lord,  honourable  ; 
and  shalt  honour  him,  not  doing  thine  own  ways,  nor 
finding  thine  own  pleasure,  nor  speaking  thine  own  words, 
then  shalt  thou  delight  thyself  in  the  Lord." 

Lord  of  the  Sabbath,  teach  us  to  remember  thy  Sabbath, 
to  keep  it  holy  ;  help  us  to  turn  away  our  feet  from  doing 
our  pleasure  on  thy  holy  day,  and  to  call  the  Sabbath  a 
delight,  the  holy  of  the  Lord,  and  honourable,  and  to 
honour  thee,  by  not  doing  our  own  ways,  nor  finding  our 
own  pleasure,  nor  speaking  our  own  words,  that  we  may 
delight  ourselves  in  thee. 

FOR  THE  lord's  DAY  EVENING. 

1  Cor.  iii.  7.    "  God  giveth  the  increase." 

We  praise  thee,  0  our  God,  for  thy  day,  thy  house,  and 
the  joyful  sound  of  thy  gospel.  We  now  look  unto  Jesus, 
our  great  High  Priest,  who  bears  the  iniquities  of  the  holy 
things  of  his  people,  for  pardon  and  acceptance.  And  thou, 
from  whom  alone  comes  the  increase  of  the  seed,  give  thy 
blessing  with  the  truths  which  we  have  heard,  that  they 
may  abide  and  grow  in  us,  and  we  may  become  wise  unto 
salvation,  through  faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  bring  forth 
much  fruit,  by  Jesus  Christ,  to  thy  glorj\ 


SHORT  FAMILY  PRAYERS. 

FOR  KACH  DAY   IN  THE  WEEK. 
SUNDAY  MORNING  FAMILY  PRAYER. 

Exodus  XX.  8 — 10.  "  Remember  the  Sabbath  day  to 
keep  it  holy.    Six  days  shalt  thou  labour  and  do  all  thy 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


405 


work  ;  but  the  seventh  day  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy 
God." 

Almighty  Father,  the  Lord  of  the  whole  earth,  who, 
after  creating  all  things,  didst  rest  on  the  seventh  day, 
what  thanks  we  owe  thee  for  thy  holy  day,  and  for  that 
most  gracious  direction  to  all  men  not  to  work  on  the 
Sabbath  day,  but  to  keep  it  holy.  Thus  hast  thou  in  thy 
love  provided  for  the  quiet  rest  of  thy  people,  and  for  our 
hearing  those  truths  of  thy  word  by  which  our  souls  may 
be  saved.  And  0,  most  gracious  Redeemei',  who  on  this 
day  rose  from  the  dead,  and  on  it  poured  out  also  thine 
own  Spirit,  what  thanks  we  owe  thee,  as  Lord  of  the 
Sabbath,  for  assuring  us  that  the  Sabbath  was  made  for 
man,  and  appointing  this,  the  first  day  of  the  week,  that  we 
might  ever  remember  thy  resurrection  and  the  gift  of  thy 
Spirit,  for  us,  who  have  so  greatly  sinned  against  thee. 

Lord,  help  us  to  keep  the  Sabbath  day  holy  ;  not  only 
by  going  to  thy  house,  but  by  giving  the  whole  day  to  the 
things  of  God.  We  praise  thee,  0  Lord,  for  thy  great 
goodness  in  creating  us,  and  thy  boundless  mercy  in  re- 
deeming us,  and  thy  special  grace  in  the  promise  of  thy 
Spirit,  and  the  many  peculiar  blessings  which  we  enjoy  in 
this  much  favoured  land  !  Lord,  help  us  by  thy  Holy 
Spirit  that  we  may  worship  thee  in  spirit  and  in  trath  in 
thy  house  ;  that  we  may  keep  ourselves  from  vain,  and 
worldly,  and  idle  words,  and  through  the  day  may  read, 
and  speak,  and  think  of  those  things  which  belong  to  our 
soul's  welfare.  Especially  may  the  love  of  Christ,  who  not 
only  on  this  day  rose  again  from  the  dead,  but  also  poured 
out  his  Spirit  on  his  church,  be  much  in  our  thoughts,  and 
warm  and  purify  all  our  hearts.  Give  us  grace  to  rise  to 
him  in  heart  and  affection  continually,  and  may  his  Spirit 
evermore  dwell  in  us. 

Bless  our  minister,  and  all  the  ministers  of  Christ. 
Bless  our  congregation,  and  all  Christian  congregations 
through  the  world,  for  Jesus  Chi-ist's  sake.  Amen. 

Our  Father,  &c. 


406 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


SUNDAY  EVENING  FAMILY  PRAYER. 

2  Chron.  xxx.  18,  19.  "  The  Lord  pardon  every  one 
that  prepareth  his  heart  to  seek  God,  the  Lord  God  of  his 
fathers,  though  he  be  not  cleansed  according  to  the  purifi- 
cation of  the  sanctuary." 

O  thou,  who  art  tlie  God  of  all  grace  and  mercy,  ever- 
lasting praise  be  to  thee,  for  the  light  of  thy  word,  the 
comfort  of  thy  gospel,  the  blessing  of  prayer,  and  the 
means  of  grace,  this  day  enjoyed.  And  still  more  for  the 
gift  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  die  for  our  sins,  and  all 
the  provision  of  mercy  made  through  him  for  our  salvation. 

Thou  hast  done  great  things  for  us,  but  we  have  not  ren- 
dered again  to  the  Lord  our  God  according  to  all  his  good- 
ness. Our  hearts  have  been  for  the  most  part,  hard,  and 
cold,  and  dead,  in  thy  service  ;  our  thoughts  have  wan- 
dered much  from  our  God,  and  even  our  holy  things  are 
full  of  iniquity.  But  Jesus,  our  High  Priest,  is  our  advo- 
cate ;  through  him,  pardon  us  ;  through  him,  accept  us  ; 
through  him,  save,  and  bless  us,  now  and  for  ever. 

And  now,  gracious  Father,  fix  in  our  hearts  the  truths 
which  we  have  heard,  and  may  they  be  powerful,  through 
thy  grace,  to  produce  in  us  the  fruits  of  righteousness, 
which  are,  by  Jesus  Christ,  to  thy  praise  and  glory.  O 
may  the  seed  abide  in  us,  and  bear  much  fruit,  and  not  be 
choked  by  the  cares  of  this  world.  Lord,  send  thy  Spirit, 
to  bring  to  our  remembrance  what  we  have  heard. 

And  every  where  may  thy  word  have  free  course,  and 
be  glorified,  till  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord  shall  cover  the 
earth,  as  the  waters  do  the  sea,  for  Jesus  Christ's  sake. 
Amen. 

MONDAY  MORNING  FAMILY  PRAYER. 

Psalm  civ.  23.  "  Man  goeth  forth  to  his  work,  and  to 
his  labour,  until  the  evening." 

0  thou  who  art  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  thy  only-begotten  Son,  in  whom  thou  art  always 
well  pleased,  and  yet,  for  our  sakes,  it  pleased  thee  to 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


407 


bruise  him,  and  put  him  to  grief,  that  he  might  put  away 
our  sins  ;  all  thaniis  be  to  thee  for  this  inexpressible  grace 
and  love.  Help  us  to  follow  in  his  steps,  who  was  obedient 
unto  thee,  and  died  for  us  ungodly  sinners,  and  teach  us  to 
walk  humbly  with  thee,  our  God,  all  the  day  long. 

Thou  hast  ordained  that  man  should  go  forth  to  his  work, 
and  to  his  labour,  till  the  evening  ;  assist  us,  then,  joyfully 
to  fulfil  thy  holy  will.  Even  as  our  divine  Redeemer  was 
subject  to  his  parents,  and  laboured  with  his  reputed 
Father,  so  may  we  all  be  diligent  in  the  work  which  thou 
hast  appointed  for  us,  seeking  thy  glory,  and  the  good  of 
our  fellow-creatures,  as  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord,  and  as 
those  bought  with  the  price  of  his  most  precious  blood. 

May  thy  word  be  in  our  thoughts  all  the  day  ;  and 
while  busy  in  our  daily  woi"k,  may  our  hearts  be  refreshed 
by  confidence  in  thy  love,  and  the  sweet  assurance  of  thy 
presence  and  favour.  Oh  may  the  joy  of  the  Lord  be  our 
strength,  so  that  we  may  overcome  all  our  sins  and  cor- 
ruptions. 

Guide  and  guard  our  rulers.  Teach  and  bless  thy  minis- 
ters. Bless  the  whole  church  of  Christ,  as  well  as  all  our 
kindred,  and  send  thy  gospel  to  every  living  soul.  Have 
mercy  upon  all  sinners  ;  relieve  the  burdened,  deliver  the 
oppressed,  save  the  afflicted,  and  speedily  may  that  kingdom 
come  where  sorrow  and  sighing  shall  flee  away,  and  there 
shall  be  no  more  curse,  for  the  sake  of  Jesus,  our  only 
Mediator  and  Advocate.  Amen. 

MONDAY  EVENING  FAMILY  PRAYER, 

1  John  i.  9.  "If  we  confess  our  sins,  he  is  just  and 
faithful  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all 
unrighteousness." 

Most  holy  and  most  merciful  Father,  we  approach  thy 
throne  of  grace  through  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Thou 
hast  told  us,  that  if  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with 
the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous,  and  he  is  the  pro- 
pitiation for  our  sins.  Blessed  be  thy  name  for  thy  amaz- 
ing grace  to  us  sinners.    Give  us,  then,  thy  Spirit  to  con- 


408 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


vince  us  of  sin,  that  we  may  truly  confess  it,  and  be 
grieved  for  it. 

In  many  things  we  have  all  offended  thee.  We  confess 
before  thee,  those  sins  which  thine  eyes  have  seen  this  day. 
Thou  hast  not  been  in  all  our  thoughts ;  we  have  turned 
each  one  to  his  own  ways.  By  unbelief  and  hardness  of 
heart,  by  seeking  earthly  things  with  eagerness,  by  love  of 
.  the  world,  by  losing  sight  of  thy  will  and  thy  glory,  by 
want  of  love  to  Jesus,  and  vain,  proud,  and  evil  thoughts, 
words,  and  works,  we  have  sinned  in  thy  sight.  For  thy 
righteousness'  sake  in  Jesus  Christ,  pardon  us,  accept  us, 
and  cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness.  Thou  hatest 
iniquity.  0  deliver  us,  then,  from  our  iniquities,  create  a 
clean  heart  in  us,  renew  a  right  spirit  within  us. 

But  though  we  have  rebelled  against  thee,  thy  mercies 
have  not  failed  us.  We  praise  thee  for  health  and  strength. 
We  praise  thee  for  food  and  clothing.  We  praise  thee 
above  all  for  the  riches  of  thy  grace  in  our  free  salvation 
by  Jesus  Christ.  May  that  grace  which  bringeth  salvation 
to  all,  appear  to  every  human  being  in  all  its  light,  and 
love,  and  blessedness,  that  the  whole  earth  may  be  filled 
with  thy  glory.  0  look  upon  weary  and  heavy  laden  sin- 
ners, and  draw  them  to  Jesus,  that  they  may  find  rest. 
Provide  for  the  destitute  ;  comfort  the  afflicted  ;  relieve  all 
in  distress  ;  turn  sinners  from  their  evil  ways,  and  fill  thine 
own  people  with  holy  love,  heavenly  peace,  and  constant 
joy.  Send  the  gospel  of  Christ  by  faithful  missionaries  to 
the  Jews  and  the  Gentiles,  and  prosper  all  their  labours  by 
larger  and  larger  gifts  and  graces  of  thine  own  Spirit, 
through  Jesus  our  Redeemer. 

TUESDAY  MORNING  FAMILY  PRAYER. 

Psa.  cxliii.  8.  "  Cause  me  to  hear  thy  loving-kindness 
in  the  morning,  for  in  thee  do  I  trust  ;  cause  me  to  know 
the  way  wherein  I  should  walk,  for  I  lift  up  my  soul  unto 
thee. 

0  thou  who  hast  graciously  promised,  I  will  be  the  God 
of  all  the  families  of  Israel,  and  they  shall  be  my  people, 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


409 


0  God  of  all  grace,  give  unto  us  thy  family,  true  faith  ia 
Jesus  Christ,  and  the  fulness  of  this  precious  promise.  Be 
our  God  and  our  portion,  our  guide  and  our  guard,  our 
righteousness  and  our  strength,  our  glory  and  our  refuge, 
this  and  every  day,  and  'give  us  grace  to  be  thy  holy, 
obedient,  and  happy  people,  doing  thy  will,  and  rejoicing 
in  thy  love  all  the  day  long. 

O  that  we  may  constantly  see  thy  loving-kindness  in 
everything,  and  find  thy  word  a  lamp  to  our  feet  and  a 
light  to  our  paths,  guiding  us  in  the  way  in  which  we 
should  go  ! 

We  lift  up  our  souls  to  thee  for  health  and  strength,  food 
and  clothing,  and  every  needful  good  for  our  bodies.  We 
lift  up  our  souls  unto  thee  for  light  and  instruction,  grace, 
mercy,  and  help  for  our  salvation.  Never  leave  us,  never 
forsake  us,  but  in  all  things  go  before  us,  and  uphold  us, 
and  bless  us  even  to  the  end. 

And  bless  not  only  us,  but  let  grace  be  with  all  them  that 
love  the  Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity  ;  have  mercy  upon  all  men, 
and  let  that  glorious  morning  speedily  come  when  the  Sun 
of  Righteousness  in  his  full  glory  shall  rise  with  healing  in 
his  wings,  and  dispel  for  ever  the  shades  of  darkness  and 
of  death.    Hear  us  for  his  name's  sake.  Amen. 

TUESDAY  EVENING  FAMILY  PRAYER. 

Exodus  XXX.  1.  "Thou  shalt  make  an  altar  to  burn 
incense  upon.  Thou  shalt  put  it  before  the  veil  that  is  by 
the  ark  of  the  testimony,  before  the  mercy-seat,  that  is 
over  the  testimony,  where  I  will  meet  thee.  And  Aaron 
shall  burn  thereon  sweet  incense  every  morning.  And 
when  Aaron  lighteth  the  lamps  at  even  he  shall  burn 
incense  upon  it." 

Almighty  Father,  thanks  be  unto  thee  that  Jesus  is  our 
High  Priest,  who  stands  at  the  altar  above,  with  much  in- 
cense, to  offer  it  with  the  prayers  of  all  saints  ;  we  now 
come  to  thee  by  him  alone.  Do  thou  graciously  meet  us, 
and  bless  us  with  thine  own  presence,  favour  and  love.  O 
how  well  it  is  for  us  that  thou  hast  provided  a  mercy-seat 


410 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


for  such  sinful  creatures.  There  we  now  come  for  fresh 
mercy  and  salvation. 

Our  sins  are  many,  and  tliey  are  great  ;  our  hearts  are 
evil,  and  we  know  but  little  of  their  evil.  Thy  law  has 
been  broken,  and  its  curse  is  fearful  ;  thy  gospel  has  been 
slighted  by  us  and  our  guilt  is  grievous.  We  repent  of 
this  our  sinfulness.  We  condemn  ourselves,  and  come  for 
thy  grace  to  be  justified  freely  through  the  redemption  that 
is  in  Christ  Jesus. 

And  0  Lord,  teach  us,  sinful  as  we  are,  to  rely  with  our 
whole  souls  only  on  thy  promised  mercy  in  Christ  Jesus. 
On  that  sure  foundation  may  all  our  hopes  be  built,  and 
believing  in  him  may  we  follow  the  very  steps  of  his  holy 
life.  Give  us  grace  to  set  his  example  always  before  us, 
and  daily  to  become  more  like  him. 

He  is  the  light  of  the  world  ;  and  0  may  the  time 
speedily  come  when  every  land  shall  enjoy  this  light,  and 
every  living  soul  shall  know  that  our  God  is  light  and  love, 
and  rejoice  in  him  alone.  Come,  Lord  Jesus,  come  quickly. 
Amen. 

WEDNESDAY  MORNINCf  FAMILY  PRAYER. 

Lam.  iii.  22,  23.  "It  is  of  the  Lord's  mercies  that  we 
are  not  consumed,  because  his  compassions  fail  not.  They 
are  new  every  morning  ;  great  is  thy  faithfulness." 

We  give  thee  glory,  0  our  heavenly  Father,  for  all  the 
fresh  blessings  of  this  morning.  New  mercies  are  given  unto 
us  with  every  new  day.  Our  light  and  our  life,  our  health 
and  our  sti'engtli,  our  food  and  our  raiment,  our  home  and 
all  its  comforts,  our  family  blessings  and  all  the  endearments 
of  our  mutual  love,  we  owe  to  thee.  And  earthly  good  is 
but  a  small  part  of  thy  loving-kindness.  Heavenly  bles- 
sings, without  number,  our  merciful  Father  hast  given  to 
us  in  Christ  Jesus,  who  by  his  death  has  redeemed  our 
fallen  nature,  is  gone  up  into  heaven,  and  there  appears  for 
us  as  our  High  Priest,  and  forerunner  ;  and  will  come 
quickly  again,  that  we  may  share  his  presence  and  glory 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


411 


for  ever.  Bless  the  Lord,  0  our  souls,  and  all  that  is  within 
us,  bless  his  holy  name. 

May  all  this  love  be  a  reality  in  our  minds  and  hearts, 
through  true  faith  in  thy  precious  promises.  Lord,  help 
our  unbelief,  and  remove  it  all  away  from  us.  May  we  see 
the  great  sinfulness  and  wickedness  of  all  unbelief,  and 
let  not  Satan  delude  us  by  setting  evil  before  us  as  good, 
and  darkness  as  light.  May  we  this  and  every  day  be  pre- 
served from  his  many  snares,  and  walk  in  the  light  of  thy 
love,  and  in  the  joy  of  thy  salvation. 

And  oh  especially  may  the  holy  Spirit  so  help  us  that 
our  conversation  may  be  such  as  becometh  the  gospel  of 
Christ,  meek,  humble,  merciful  and  kind,  joyful,  holy,  and 
heavenly,  full  of  love,  and  full  of  good  works,  thus  glori- 
fying thy  name,  and  becoming  a  blessing  to  all  about  us. 

When,  0  our  God,  shall  it  be  that  this  thy  kingdom  of 
righteousness,  peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  shall  fully 
triumph  in  all  the  earth  according  to  thy  promise.  Hasten, 
oh  hasten,  thy  coming  and  thy  kingdom.  Bring  back  thy 
people  Israel,  bring  in  the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles.  Come 
to  Zion,  0  thou  king  of  Zion,  and  turn  away  ungodli- 
ness from  Jacob,  for  thy  great  name's  sake,  and  let  the 
whole  earth  be  filled  with  thy  glory.    Amen  and  Amen. 

WEDNESDAY  EVENING  FAMILY  PRAYER. 

Psalm  xiv.  1,  2.  "  Let  my  prayer  be  set  forth  before 
thee  as  incense,  and  let  the  lifting  uj)  of  my  hands  be  as 
the  evening  sacrifice." 

Wonderful  is  thy  love,  0  our  gracious  God  and  Father, 
in  the  regard  thou  payest  to  the  supplications  of  thy  people 
which  call  upon  thee.  Thanks  be  to  thee  for  that  grace 
and  loving  kindness  by  which,  through  the  blood  of  Jesus, 
our  prayers  become  grateful  to  thee  as  the  incense,  accept- 
able to  thee  as  thine  own  appointed  sacrifice.  How  great  is 
thy  goodness  in  delighting  in  our  privileges,  and  in  giving 
us  the  bountiful  law  of  thy  kingdom,  Ask,  and  ye  shall 
receive ! 


412 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


We  come,  then,  with  our  burdens  and  our  sins  unto 
thee  ;  in  ourselves  poor  and  needy,  empty  of  good  and  full 
of  sin ;  but  rejoicing  in  the  assurance  that  there  is  for- 
giveness with  thee.  We  cry  unto  thee.  Most  High  and 
Most  Holy  God,  who  forgiveth  all  our  sins  and  healeth  all 
our  diseases.  Forgive  our  sins  and  teach  us  to  believe  thy 
love  that  they  are  forgiven.  Heal  our  diseases,  and  may 
we  inwardly  know  and  feel  that  they  are  healed,  by  all  the 
life  of  holiness  and  joy  of  spiritual  health,  having  oneness 
of  mind  with  thee  in  all  things. 

May  we  live  as  the  children  of  God,  and  be  his  followers, 
as  dear  children,  in  every  good  word  and  work,  shewing 
that  we  are  his  children,  by  bearing  his  image,  and  daily 
rising  up  to  his  likeness  in  love  and  holiness,  in  mercy  and 
truth,  and  in  goodness  to  all  men,  both  just  and  unjust. 

Bless  the  church  of  Christ  in  all  lands,  and  extend  his 
blessed  empire  till  it  cover  the  whole  earth. 

Lord,  take  us  under  thy  protection  this  night.  Keep  us 
from  every  evil  which  Satan,  or  the  wicked,  or  our  own 
evil  hearts,  would  bring  upon  us  ;  and  guarded  by  thy 
power  and  love,  may  our  wearied  bodies  be  so  refreshed 
by  sleep,  that  we  may  rise  with  joy  and  strength  for  thy 
service  and  glory  another  day,  through  Jesus  our  Re- 
deemer. Amen. 

THURSDAY  MORNING  FAMILY  PRAYER. 

Psalm  V.  8.  "  My  voice  shalt  thou  hear  in  the  morning, 
0  Lord  ;  in  the  morning  will  I  direct  my  prayer  unto  thee, 
and  will  look  up." 

O  our  Father,  what  a  privilege  it  is,  and  ought  to  be, 
that  thine  ear  is  ever  open  to  our  prayer  !  With  all  the 
uncertainties,  and  all  the  duties  of  each  day  ;  with  all  the 
temptations,  trials,  and  difficulties  which  we  look  for,  or 
which  may  come  unlooked  for,  in  another  day,  we  thank 
thee  that  this  morning  we  are  allowed  to  come  to  the 
throne  of  thy  grace,  and  spread  all  our  need  before  our 
ever  present,  almighty,  and  most  gracious  God. 

Thou  hast  protected,  provided  for,  pardoned,  and  blessed 


I 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


413 


US  all  our  life  hitherto  ;  thou  hast  led  us,  and  guided  us, 
and  spared  us,  amidst  all  our  sinfulness  ;  innumerable  and 
most  precious  are  the  promises  of  thy  love  ;  now  may  we, 
then,  rely  wholly  on  thee  for  strength  and  help  this  day. 
Thou  hast  said,  Blessed  is  the  man  that  trusteth  in  the 
Lord,  whose  hope  the  Lord  is.  0  give  unto  us  that  entire 
trust  in  thee,  which  will  bring  glory  to  thy  name  ;  and  may 
we  abound  in  hope  through  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost : 
and  give  unto  us  that  love  which  is  thy  glorious  character, 
that  dwelling  in  love,  we  may  dwell  in  thee,  and  thou 
in  us. 

May  we  have  grace  to  look  off  from  vain  and  earthly 
things,  which  cannot  profit,  and  to  crucify  the  flesh,  with 
its  affections  and  lusts,  and  to  look  unto  Jesus,  the  author 
and  finisher  of  our  faith.  0  make  him  this  day  unto  us 
wisdom,  righteousness,  sanctification,  and  redemption,  that 
we  may  be  like  Christ,  and  willingly  suffer  with  him  in 
the  hope  of  his  coming  glory. 

And  especially  give  us  a  heart  full  of  love  to  all  men, 
for  his  sake.  0  God,  bless  our  Queen,  and  all  the  royal 
family  ;  the  Queen's  council,  and  all  those  in  authority 
under  her.  Guide  thou  the  measures  of  the  houses  of  par- 
liament. 0  God,  bless  thy  church,  and  all  its  ministers, 
and  all  its  members,  of  every  degree.  Complete  the  num- 
ber of  thine  elect,  and  speedily  bring  in  thy  promised  and 
everlasting  kingdom,  through  Jesus,  our  Redeemer. 

THURSDAY  EVENING  FAMILY  PRAYER. 

Matt.  viii.  16,  17-  "  When  the  even  was  come,  they 
brought  unto  him  many  that  were  possessed  with  devils, 
and  he  cast  out  the  spirits  with  his  word,  and  healed  all 
that  were  sick,  that  it  might  be  fulfilled  which  was  spoken 
by  Isaiah  the  prophet,  saying.  Himself  took  our  infirmities, 
and  bare  our  sicknesses." 

0  our  merciful  and  compassionate  Saviour,  where  should 
the  weary  and  the  sinful,  the  burdened  and  the  heavy 
laden,  come,  but  unto  thee  !    To  whom  else  can  we  go, 


414 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


but  to  thee,  who  lookest  upon  these  our  infirmities  with 
pity,  and  barest  our  sicknesses,  and  art  the  same  yesterday, 
to-day,  and  for  ever  !  Hear  us,  then,  0  Lord  and  Master, 
and  help  us. 

Many,  and  most  sinful,  are  our  wanderings  of  heart  and 
mind  from  God,  our  Father; — much  we  forget  his  presence 
and  his  glory  ;  much  we  live  to  ourselves  ;  and  so  all  is 
dark  within,  and  we  spend  our  days  in  vanity  and  sinful- 
ness. Break,  0  Lord,  the  chains  of  sin,  loose  our  bonds, 
and  make  us  free  ;  free  to  love  and  delight  in  God,  and 
free,  with  a  glad  heart,  to  run  in  the  way  of  thy  com- 
mands. Let  thy  great  salvation  be  known  and  believed, 
and  welcomed  in  each  of  our  hearts,  and  all  its  blessed 
effects  be  seen  in  each  of  our  tempers  and  convei-sation  and 
conduct. 

How  great  thy  goodness  to  us,  0  heavenly  Father,  during 
the  past  day.  Thou  hast  been  about  our  path,  and  watched 
over  us  in  all  our  ways,  preserving  us  from  evil,  and  caring 
for  us,  and  giving  us  good  continually.  Thy  word  and 
thy  providence,  thy  grace,  and  the  redemption  which  is  in 
Christ  Jesus,  continually  testify  thy  holy  love  to  us  sin- 
ners ;  and  we  now,  therefore,  praise  thy  holy  name,  and 
return  unto  thee,  our  God  and  Saviour,  with  our  whole 
heart,  and  would  evermore  rejoice  in  thee,  and  walk  in 
thy  ways.  Give  us,  then,  0  Father,  through  thy  dear 
Son,  thy  Holy  Spirit,  to  abide  with  us  this  night  and  for 
ever.  Ameu. 

FRIDAY  MORNING  FAMILY  PRAYER. 

Isa.  liii.  5,  6.  "  He  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions  ; 
he  was  bruised  for  our  iniquities :  the  chastisement  of  our 
peace  was  upon  him,  and  with  his  stripes  we  are  healed. 
All  we,  like  sheep,  have  gone  astray,  and  the  Lord  hath 
laid  on  him  the  iniquity  of  us  all." 

O  thou,  who  so  loved  us  sinners,  that  it  pleased  thee  to 
commend  thy  love  to  us  in  giving  thy  Son  to  die  for  us, 
when  ungodly  and  without  strength,  that  we  might  with  a 
free  heart  return  unto  thee  :  for  all  the  ages  to  come  may 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


415 


this  thy  grace  and  loving-kindness  to  thy  most  sinful  crea- 
tures be  magnified  by  us,  thy  redeemed  people.  May  we, 
with  full  assurance  of  faith,  know  that  Christ  has  bought 
us  with  his  blood,  and  that  God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling 
the  world  unto  himself,  not  imputing  our  ti'espasses  unto 
us.  And  may  we  find  more  and  more  the  power  of  this 
truth,  to  work  in  us  true  repentance,  and  lively  faith,  and 
to  sanctify  us,  and  give  us  the  liberty  of  the  children  of 
God. 

This  very  day,  feeling  that  we  are  not  our  own,  but 
bought  with  a  price,  may  we  glorify  God  in  our  bodies 
and  in  our  spirits,  which  are  his  ;  yielding  ourselves  unto 
thee,  as  those  baptized  into  the  death  of  Jesus,  and  alive 
unto  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  According  to 
thy  faithful  promises,  give  unto  us  thy  Holy  Spirit,  to 
teach  and  enlighten  us,  to  guide  and  purify  us,  to  strengthen 
and  comfort  us.  0  Spirit  of  the  living  God,  lead  us,  and 
dwell  in  us,  and  be  in  us  a  spirit  of  adoption,  this,  and 
every  day,  enabling  us  with  humble  confidence  to  cry  unto 
tiie  great  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth,  Abba,  Father. 

Give  us  grace  to  walk  worthy  of  our  high  calling.  May 
it  be  evident  by  our  grateful  and  thankful  spirit,  that  we 
belong  to  the  chosen  people,  the  royal  priesthood,  the  holy 
nation,  and  the  peculiar  people,  who  are  called  out  of 
darkness  into  thy  marvellous  light.  And  Oh  !  increase  that 
blessed  company,  among  ourselves,  our  neighbours,  our 
country,  and  through  the  whole  world,  for  Jesus  Christ's 
sake. 

FRIDAY  EVENING  FAMILY  PRAYER. 

James  v.  16.  "  Confess  your  faults  one  to  another,  and 
pray  one  for  another,  that  ye  may  be  healed.  The  effec- 
tual, fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous  man,  availeth  much." 

Almighty  God,  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  of 
whom  the  family  in  heaven  and  earth  is  named,  we  thank 
thee  for  all  those  many  mercies  which  we,  as  a  family, 
have  received  from  thy  grace  and  goodness  :  all  our  peace 
and  love,  all  the  pi'ovision  for  our  daily  wants,  and  the 


416 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


different  relations  of  parents  and  children,  masters  and 
servants,  come  from  thee,  the  one  Parent  of  us  all,  for  our 
mutual  comfort  and  edification,  and  for  thy  glory.  And 
all  our  religious  advantages,  and  spiritual  blessings,  are 
from  thy  gift  and  mercy. 

We  desire  this  evening  to  confess  together  unto  thee  our 
faults  against  thee  and  against  each  other.  0  forgive  all 
our  folly  and  selfishness  ;  all  our  pride  and  vanity,  all  our 
unholy  diff^erences,  and  evil  words,  and  unkindness.  We 
have  not  sought  each  other's  soul's  welfare,  nor  loved  each 
other  as  we  ought  to  have  done.  We  have  all  forgotten 
thee  ;  we  have  all  rebelled  against  thee.  We  have  all  sinned, 
and  come  short  of  thy  glory  ;  and  the  wages  of  sin  is  death, 
and  we  might  have  justly  been  left  to  perish  in  our  sins. 
But  thou,  0  our  God,  hast  solemnly  sworn  that  thou  hast 
no  pleasure  in  the  death  of  a  sinner,  but  rather  that  he 
should  be  converted  and  live  ;  turn  thou  us,  then,  and  we 
shall  be  turned.  Heal  thou  all  our  spiritual  diseases.  We 
pray  for  each  other,  that  thou  wilt  give  to  each  what  each 
needs  for  their  soul's  health.  0  Lord,  hear  us.  0  Lord, 
answer  us.  None  other  can  help  us  ;  none  other  can  save 
us,  but  thyself  alone. 

Bless,  also,  with  thy  grace  and  favour,  all  our  family 
relations,  and  friends  ;  guide,  direct,  and  bless  the  autho- 
rities thou  hast  appointed  over  us.  Provide  for  the  poor 
and  afflicted.  Convert  sinners  to  thyself.  Preserve  us 
from  evil  men.  Peace  be  unto  thy  church,  and  the 
Israel  of  God.  Send  forth  labourers  to  gather  Jew  and 
Gentile  to  Christ.  Fulfil  all  thy  gracious  promises,  in 
establishing  quickly  thine  own  kingdom  and  glory  over 
the  earth,  for  Christ's  sake.  Amen. 

SATURDAY  MORNING  FAMILY  PRAYER. 

Psalm  lix.  16,  17.  "  But  I  will  sing  of  thy  power ;  yea, 
I  will  sing  aloud  of  thy  mercy  in  the  morning  :  for  thou 
hast  been  my  defence  and  refuge  in  the  day  of  my  trouble. 
Unto  thee,  0  my  strength,  will  I  sing  ;  for  God  is  my  de- 
fence, and  the  God  of  my  mercy." 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


417 


Blessed  be  our  heavenly  Father,  who  does  not  leave  him- 
self without  constant  witness  of  his  love,  day  by  day. 
During  the  defenceless  hours  of  darkness  we  have  been  safe 
under  tliy  protection  ;  the  morning  light  we  owe  to  thy 
love.  Thanks  be  unto  him  who  daily  loadeth  us  with  his 
benefits.  He  that  is  our  God  is  the  God  of  salvation  ;  and 
unto  God  the  Lord  belong  the  issues  of  death. 

The  same  continued  care  and  love  we  now  ask  of  thee  for 
this  day.  In  thee  we  live,  move,  and  have  our  being  :  may 
we  live  in  the  constant  remembrance  that  every  breath  we 
draw,  every  step  we  take,  every  thing  we  do,  or  hope  for, 
or  fear,  is  all  under  the  direction  of  thy  constant  provi- 
dence, and  our  wliole  strength  is  in  thee.  Watch  over  us 
for  good.  Help  us  wholly  to  confide  in  thee,  as  altogether 
righteous  and  good  in  all  thy  ways,  and  one  who  has  made 
provision  for  the  salvation  of  all  who  call  upon  thy  name, 
through  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Give  unto  us,  then,  all 
things  needful  and  profitable  for  our  souls  and  for  our 
bodies  this  day. 

And,  O  Lord,  extend  the  same  blessings  to  the  whole 
human  race.  We  commend  unto  thee  the  poor,  the  needy, 
and  the  afflicted.  AVe  beseech  thee  to  look  upon  those 
living  without  Christ,  and  reveal  thy  Son  unto  them.  Pity 
the  lost  sheep  of  Israel,  and  gather  them  back  by  the  good 
Shepherd.  Thrust  forth  labourers  into  the  harvest  of  the 
heathen  world,  so  that  at  length  all  the  ends  of  the  world 
may  remember  and  turn  unto  the  Lord,  and  all  the  kin- 
dreds of  the  nations  may  worship  before  thee,  through  Jesus 
our  Redeemer.  Amen. 

SATURDAY  EVENINO  FAMILY  I'RAVER. 

Exodus  xvi.  2.3.  "  To-morrow  is  the  rest  of  the  lioly  Sab- 
bath unto  the  Lord  :  bake  tliat  which  ye  will  bake  to-day, 
and  seethe  that  ye  will  seethe,  and  that  whicli  remaineth 
over,  lay  up  for  you,  to  be  kept  till  the  morning." 

0  our  heavenly  Fatlier,  full  of  bounty  and  ioving-kind 
ness,  full  of  truth  and  holiness,  we  thank  thee  that  through 


418 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


thy  goodness  we  are  brought  to  the  close  of  another  week, 
and  the  eve  of  another  Sabbath.  Surely  goodness  and  mercy 
have  followed  us  all  the  days  of  this  week,  and  shall  foUovv 
us  all  the  daj's  of  our  life  :  for  the  Lord  is  our  Shepherd, 
and  he  is  our  Saviour  evermore.  May  we  lean  wholly  upon 
him,  in  everything  acknowledge  him,  and  always  rejoice 
in  him,  who  is  our  light  and  our  life,  our  pattern  and  our 
glory. 

Through  the  blood  of  Jesus,  the  Lamb  of  God,  may  we  be 
cleansed  from  all  sin  ;  both  from  its  guilt  and  curse,  its  do- 
minion and  power,  its  love  and  pollution.  Looking  to  the 
wounds  and  bruises  of  the  only-begotten  Son  of  God,  en- 
dured for  our  sakes,  and  caused  l)y  our  sins,  may  we  see  the 
tremendous  evil  of  sin,  and  abhor  all  manner  of  sin  with 
intense  hatred  ;  and  may  we  see  thy  holy  love  to  us  sinners 
in  its  unmeasurable  height,  and  length,  and  depth,  and 
breadth,  and  henceforth  wholly  confide  in  thee,  and  ar- 
dently love  thee,  who  hast  so  loved  us. 

Prepare  us  for  the  approaching  Sabbath.  May  we  by 
thoughtfulness  beforehand,  guard  against  those  things  which 
might  interrupt  our  higher  duties  and  privileges  on  thy  holy 
day.  In  Sabbath  employments  may  we  find  our  best  joy 
and  happiness  :  and  give  us  so  to  make  ready  for  them,  that 
we  may  have  that  rest  and  spiritual  refreshment  which  thou 
didst  thus  design  for  us. 

Oh  when  shall  come  the  rest  which  remaineth  for  tlie 
people  of  God  ;  the  etei'ual  Sabbath  ;  the  unceasing  song, 
holy,  holy,  holy,  is  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  the  whole  earth  is 
full  of  his  glory.  Lord,  everywhere  may  our  fellow-men 
know  and  enjoy  the  happiness  of  remembering  to  keep  the 
Sabbath  day  holy.  Every  where  may  thy  name  be  hon- 
oured by  unpolluted  Sabbaths,  and  thy  day  be  called  a 
delight  by  joyful  worshippers  through  the  whole  world,  for 
Jesus  our  Redeemer's  sake. 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYEUS. 


PRAYERS  FOR  SPECIAL  OCCASIONS. 

PRAYER  FOR  CONVERSION. 

Ezek.  xxxvi.  26.   «  A  new  heart  also  will  I  give  you 
and  a  new  spirit  will  I  put  within  you  ;  and  I  will  take 
he  stony  heart  out  of  your  flesh,  and  will  give  you  an 
heart  of  flesh. 

0  my  Creator,  my  God,  and  my  Redeemer,  I  have  sinned 
against  heaven  and  before  thee,  and  am  no  more  worthy  to 
be  called  thy  son.  All  my  life  long  thou  hast  been  doing 
me  good  and  I  have  been  rebelling  against  thee,  and  living 
afar  off  from  thee.  Thus  didst  not  spare  thine  own  Son' 
but  delivered  him  up  to  death,  even  the  death  of  the  cross 
or  us  sinners  ;  and  yet  I  have  neglected  tliis  great  salva- 
tion and  refused  all  thy  grace  and  loving-kindness,  and  my 
m.nd  IS  full  of  evil  thoughts,  and  my  .spirit  full  of  error  and 
uncleanness,  and  my  heart  hard  as  the  stony  rock.  God  he 
merciful  to  me  a  sinner. 

Turn  thou  me  and  I  shall  be  turned,  for  tliou  art  the 
Lord  my  God.  My  only  hope  is  in  thee.  Again  and  again 
I  have  resolved  to  forsake  my  evil  ways,  and  again  and 
again  all  my  resolutions  have  failed,  in  the  hour  of  trial,  to 
help  me.  Where,  then,  can  I  look,  but  unto  thee,  who,  for 
my  sins,  art  most  justly  displeased. 

0  Lord  God,  who  hast  declared.  Except  ye  be  converted 
and  become  as  little  children,  ye  shall  Lt^nter  into  it 
kingdom  of  heaven,  and  hast  assured  us  that  in  Christ 
Jesus  neither  circumcision  availeth  anything,  nor  uncir- 
cumcision,  but  a  new  creature,  convert  me,  Ll  make  e 
a  new  creature  0  Lord  God,  who  seest  ine  in  my  he^ 
ssness  and  misery,  now,  while  yet  the  accepted  time  con- 
tinues, and  the  day  of  salvation  is  prolonged,  I  call  upon 

tantrrr('p  r^'""  '''^^  ^^-^^^  Create  in  me  a 
clean  heart,  0  God,  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me  •  cast 

SpirHlml^™'"  ^^'^ 


2  E  2 


420 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


I  plead  thine  own  precious  promises,  which  are  all  yea 
and  amen,  in  Christ  Jesus.  Fulfil  thy  own  words  to  me, 
and  give  me  a  new  heart,  and  put  a  new  spirit  within  me, 
and  take  the  stony  heart  out  of  my  flesh,  and  give  me  an 
heart  of  flesh. 

0  give  my  soul  a  holy  longing  for  this  great  change  ; 
give  me  true  repentance  for  all  my  sins,  and  real  faith  in 
thy  love,  and  joy  in  thy  salvation.  Then  will  I  teach  trans- 
gressors thy  ways  of  holy  love,  and  sinners  shall  he  con- 
verted unto  thee. 

0  God,  I  am  poor  and  needy  :  make  haste  unto  me. 
Thou  art  my  help  and  my  deliverer,  0  Lord,  make  no  long 
tarrying,  but  hear  me  speedily,  for  the  sake  of  thy  only 
Son,  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

PRAYER  FOR  HELP  IN  DIFFICULTIES. 

Psalm  1.  1.5.  "  Call  upon  me  in  the  day  of  trouble  ;  I  will 
deliver  thee,  and  thou  shalt  glorify  me." 

0  thou  mighty  and  glorious  God,  our  only  refuge  and 
strength,  who  art  a  very  present  help  in  time  of  trouble,  I 
come  to  thee,  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  with  my  present 
trials  and  difficulties.  I  know  not  what  to  do  ;  I  am  op- 
pressed ;  undertake  for  me,  and  help  me.  I  deserve  far 
more  evil  than  I  receive,  and  more  evil  than  I  now  dread, 
for  I  have  greatly  sinned  in  thy  sight,  and  thou  art  both 
just  and  good  in  all  that  I  suffer,  and  all  that  I  fear.  Lord, 
I  put  myself  into  thy  hands,  to  do  what  is  good  to  me  in 
thy  sight.  I  am  sure  thy  name  is  love  ;  I  am  sure  thy 
power  is  infinite  ;  I  am  sure  Jesus  makes  intercession  for 
transgressors,  and  in  his  name  I  ask  of  thee  mercy  and 
grace  to  help  in  this  time  of  need.  Deliver  me,  and 
enable  me  to  glorify  thy  great  name,  for  Jesus  Christ's 
sake.  Amen. 

PRAYER  IN  SICKNESS. 

Exodus  xxiii.  2-5.  "  Ye  shall  serve  the  Lord  your  God, 
and  I  will  take  away  sickness  from  the  midst  of  thee." 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


421 


Blessed  Lord,  who  hast  told  us  in  thy  holy  word  that 
whom  thou  lovest  thou  chastenest,  and  that  thou  scourgest 
every  son  whom  thou  receivest, — Oh  mercifully  grant  that 
all  the  wise  purposes  of  love  which  were  intended  for  my 
soul  in  this  affliction,  may  be  fully  realised.  Gi'ant  that 
earthly  health  and  strength  having  failed,  I  may  place 
more  simple  confidence  in  thee.  Gracious  Father,  be  thou 
my  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present  help  in  time  of 
trouble.  Thou,  0  merciful  Jesus,  hast  said,  that  in  all  our 
afflictions  thou  art  afflicted,  may  I  realize  thy  sympathy 
and  fellow-feeling  with  me.  May  the  remembrance  of  thy 
dreadful  sufferings  for  me  check  every  murmur,  and  soothe 
every  pain.  Lord,  enable  me,  whether  in  sickness  or  in 
health,  to  glorify  thy  holy  name.  Do  with  me  what  is 
good  in  thy  sight.  Let  patience  have  her  perfect  work. 
If  this  sickness  be  unto  death,  O  prepare  me  for  it,  that  I 
may  depart  only  to  be  with  thee.  If  it  be  thy  will  that  I 
recover,  may  I  rise  from  a  sick  bed  strong  through  thy 
grace  to  walk  far  more  closely  with  my  God  than  ever  I 
have  yet  done,  and  this  to  the  end  of  my  life.  I  offer  up 
every  prayer  through  the  merits  and  intercession  of  my 
gracious  Redeemer. 


PRAYER  FOR  PARENTS  BEFORE   THE  BAPTISM  OF  THEIR 
CHILDREN. 

Acts  ii.  .39.  "  The  promise  is  unto  you,  and  to  your 
children,  and  to  all  that  are  afar  off :  even  as  many  as  the 
Lord  our  God  sliall  call." 

Almighty  Father,  thou  art  a  Father  full  of  righteous- 
ness and  full  of  grace,  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  in  him  we  approach  thy  mercy -seat  for 
the  dear  child  which  thou  thyself  hast  given  us.  Thou 
hast  graciously  promised,  I  will  be  a  God  unto  thee  and  thy 
seed  after  thee,  and  I  will  pour  my  Spirit  upon  thy  seed  ; 
we  come  unto  thee  now  for  the  fulfilment  of  thy  gracious 
promises.  0  may  we  believe  thy  faithfulness,  and  rejoice 
in  thy  love.  And  as  Jehoshaphat,  before  the  battle,  praised 


422 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


the  Lord,  and  according  to  his  faith  the  victory  was  given 
to  him,  so  may  we,  in  the  same  spirit  of  faith,  dedicating 
our  child  to  thee,  and  bringing  up  our  child  for  thee,  praise 
thee  in  the  assured  confidence  that  thy  grace  shall  be  be- 
stowed upon  this  our  offspring.  Like  the  poor  father  in 
the  gospel,  coming  for  help  for  his  child,  we  come  unto 
thee,  saying.  Lord,  we  believe,  help  our  unbelief,  and  do 
thou  graciously  answer  us  according  to  the  fulness  of  thy 
own  love  and  grace  in  Christ  Jesus.  Lord,  strengthen  our 
faith,  enliven  our  hope,  and  enable  us  evermore  to  rejoice 
in  thee,  through  Jesus  our  Redeemer.  Amen. 

PRAYER  FOR  PARENTS  AFTER  BAPTISM  OF  THEIR  CHILD. 

Gen.  xvii.  18.    "  0  that  Ishmael  might  live  before  thee." 

0  Lord  God  Almighty,  in  pursuance  of  our  Saviour's 
gracious  words.  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  me,  we 
have  taken  our  child,  in  faith  and  prayer,  unto  thee  ;  we 
beseech  thee  give  us  the  full  blessing  which  we  have  asked, 
and  enable  us  to  bring  up  this  child  day  by  day  in  thy  faith, 
and  fear,  and  love.  0  make  all  our  plans  for  its  spiritual 
welfare  effectual,  by  thy  own  mighty  and  invincible  Spirit, 
that  the  old  man  may  be  daily  mortified  and  subdued,  and 
the  new  man  may  be  quickened  and  strengthened  to  thy 
glory,  and  the  everlasting  salvation  of  our  beloved  child, 
through  Jesus  our  Redeemer.  Amen. 

PRAYER  FOR  THE  BAPTISED  CHILD  COMING  TO  YEARS  OF 
DISCRETION. 

Rom.  vi.  4.    "  We  also  should  walk  in  newness  of  life." 

0  Lord,  full  of  mercy  and  goodness,  I  praise  thee  that 
from  my  earliest  infancy  I  was  enrolled  among  thy  people, 
and  dedicated  to  thy  happy  service ;  let  me  never,  then, 
through  my  own  unbelief  and  sinfulness,  deprive  myself  of 
the  rich  blessings  which  thou  hast  so  assured  to  me.  So 
mightily  work  in  me  to  will  and  to  do  of  thy  good  pleasure, 
that  I  may  work  out  my  own  salvation  with  fear  and 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


423 


trembling,  and  daily,  in  all  my  conduct,  renounce  the 
devil  and  all  his  works,  the  pomps  and  vanity  of  this 
wicked  world,  and  all  the  sinful  lusts  of  the  flesh,  and  ever 
keep  thy  holy  will  and  commandments.  Give  me  sure  and 
lively  faith  in  the  great  truths  of  thy  word,  and  help  me 
to  continue  in  the  same  to  my  life's  end,  for  Jesus  Christ's 
sake.  Amen. 

BEFORE  CONFIRMATION. 

Isaiah  xliv.  5.  "  One  shall  say,  I  am  the  Lord's  ;  and 
another  shall  subscribe  with  liis  hand  unto  the  Lord,  and 
surname  himself  by  the  name  of  Israel." 

Almighty  Father,  I  bless  thy  holy  name  that  when  I  was 
young,  I  was,  by  the  care  and  love  of  others,  early  conse- 
crated to  thee,  and  baptized  in  the  name  of  Jesus.  And 
now  I  desire  to  reap  the  full  benefit  of  thine  ordinance,  by 
confirming  with  my  own  mouth  what  was  done  for  me 
when  young.  Help  me,  by  thine  own  Spirit,  to  believe 
with  the  heart  all  thy  love  in  Christ  Jesus.  I  praise  thee, 
who  hast  called  me  to  be  a  member  of  Christ,  a  child  of 
God,  and  an  inheritor  of  the  kingdom  of  lieaven.  With 
joy  of  heart  enable  me  to  confess  with  my  mouth  the  Lord 
Jesus.  Let  thy  holy  Spirit  so  teach  me,  that  I  may  fully 
realize  the  blessings  which  thou  hast  given  me  in  him,  and 
yield  myself,  and  all  I  am,  wiiolly  and  entirely  to  him, 
who  has  bought  me  with  his  blood.  May  I  joyfully  suffer 
with  him  here,  that  I  may  reign  with  him  for  ever  here- 
after ;  daily  taking  up  my  cross,  and  following  my  cru- 
cified Saviour.    Hear  me  for  his  great  name's  sake. 

AFTER  CONFIRMATION. 

Rom.  xil.  1,  2.  "  I  beseech  you,  therefore,  by  the  mer- 
cies of  God,  that  ye  present  your  Ijodies  a  living  sacrifice, 
holy  and  acceptable  unto  God,  which  is  your  reasonable 
service,  and  he  not  conformed  to  this  world." 

Lord,  I  am  thine  ;  keep  me  thine  for  ever  ;  uphold  my 
goings  in  thy  paths  to  the  end.    Shed  abroad  thy  love  in 


424 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


my  heart,  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  more  and  more  ;  and  know- 
ing and  believing  the  love  which  thou  hast  towards  me, 
may  that  love  constrain  me  every  day  not  to  live  to  myself, 
but  to  him  who  died  for  me.  In  the  hour  of  temptation, 
succour  me  ;  amidst  the  scorn  of  evil  men,  sustain  my  soul, 
that  I  may  never  deny  my  Lord  and  Saviour,  but  ever 
tread  his  steps,  and  wear  his  image,  and  glory  in  him,  till 
the  da}'  of  his  appearing  and  return,  in  the  glory  of  his 
Father.    Hear  me  for  his  sake. 

PRAYER  BEFORE  TUB  LORD's  SUPPER. 

Psalm  cxvi.  13.  "  I  will  take  the  cup  of  salvation,  and 
call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

0  heavenly  Fatlier,  who  spared  not  thine  own  Son,  but 
delivered  him  up  for  us  all ;  0  blessed  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
who  hast  put  away  mj^  sins  by  the  sacrifice  of  thyself  ;  0 
Holy  Ghost,  the  Comforter,  who  glorifiest  Jesus,  and  re- 
ceiving the  things  of  Christ  shewest  them  to  us,  help  me  to 
believe  all  the  love  of  God,  in  the  death  of  Jesus,  for  my 
sins.  Help  me  to  see  most  distinctly,  and  believe  most 
fully,  that  God  was  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world  unto 
himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto  them.  And  in 
deep  sorrow  for  those  sins  by  which  Jesus  was  wounded 
and  bruised,  and  in  constant  joy  of  faith  for  that  great  re- 
demption which  he  has  accomplished  for  us,  and  with  full 
purpose  of  heart  to  walk  in  newness  of  life,  may  I  now  go 
to  the  table  of  the  Lord,  take  the  cup  of  salvation,  and  call 
upon  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

Give  me  an  entire  and  chUd-like  confidence  in  thee,  that 
without  any  of  the  spirit  of  bondage  unto  fear,  without  any 
presumptuous  or  self-righteous  feelings,  without  careless 
indiff"erence  or  mere  formality,  but  with  lively  faith,  joy- 
ful hope,  and  fervent  love,  I  may,  in  the  very  spirit  of 
adoption,  go  to  thy  table.  0  grant  unto  me,  with  all  my 
brethren,  thine  own  children,  there  to  feed  on  Christ  in  our 
hearts,  by  faith,  with  thanksgiving  ;  rejoicing  in  that  full 
propitiation  thou  hast  set  forth  through  faith  in  his  blood, 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


425 


for  our  sins  ;  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  also  for  those  of 
the  whole  world.    Hear  me,  through  Jesus  my  Redeemer. 

PRAYER  AFTER  THE  LORD's  SUPPER. 

1  Cor.  X.  10.  "  The  cup  of  blessing  which  we  bless,  is  it 
not  the  communion  of  the  blood  of  Christ?  The  bread 
which  we  break,  is  it  not  the  communion  of  the  body  of 
Christ  1 " 

Who  am  I,  O  Lord  God,  and  what  is  my  house,  that 
thou  hast  brought  me  hitherto  !  That  I,  worthy  only  of 
thy  wrath,  should  be  made  partaker  of  the  children's 
bread  :  that  I,  who  have  been  so  sinful,  should  have  assured 
to  me  thy  favour,  and  the  hope  of  tliy  glory  :  that  1,  once 
without  Christ,  having  no  hope,  and  without  God  in  the 
world,  should  be  brought  nigh  by  the  blood  of  Jesus,  and 
be  made  a  fellow-citizen  with  the  saints,  and  of  the  house- 
hold of  God.  Never  may  I  cease  to  give  thanks  unto  thee, 
and  to  praise  thy  name. 

Now  give  me,  and  all  thy  people,  grace  to  walk  worthy 
of  the  vocation  wherewith  we  are  called,  with  all  lowliness 
and  meekness,  with  long-suffering,  forbearing  others  in 
love,  and  ever  endeavouring  to  keep  the  unity  of  love  in 
the  bond  of  peace.  May  we  never  cast  away  our  confi- 
dence in  thee,  which  has  such  great  recompence  of  reward. 
May  we  live  by  faith  in  the  joyful  hope  of  the  coming  of 
our  Redeemer  in  glory  to  fulfil  all  his  promises  to  his  wait- 
ing people  who  look  for  him,  and  may  we  ever  abstain  from 
fleshly  lusts,  which  war  against  the  soul.  0  Lord,  believ- 
ing thy  promise,  give  us  grace  to  look  for  the  new  heavens 
and  new  earth,  wherein  dwelleth  righteousness,  and  may 
we  never  fall  from  this  stedfast  hope,  but  grow  in  grace, 
and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 
for  his  name's  sake.  Amen. 

ON  A  DEATH  IN  THE  FAMILY. 

Job  i.  21.  "  The  Lord  gave  and  the  Lord  hath  taken 
away  ;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord." 


426 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done.  Help  us  to  say  so  from 
the  heart,  0  our  God,  and  let  not  one  murmuring  or  re- 
pining thought  mingle  with  our  tears  of  sorrow.  Thou 
hast  told  us  Jesus  wept ;  and  thus,  while  we  from  the  heart 
acknowledge  thy  wise  and  holy  love  in  all  thy  ways,  we 
may  weep  also  at  what  sin  has  wrought.  Lord,  we  thank 
thee  for  all  the  comfort  we  have  had  at  any  time  in  our  de- 
parted friend.  We  pray  thee  to  forgive  all  our  sins  in  our 
past  intercourse  with  him  [or  her]. 

Lord,  sanctify  to  us  all  this  affliction.  May  we  learn 
every  holy  lesson  thou  didst  by  it  design  to  teach  us.  May 
we  see  what  a  vapour  life  is,  and  how  short  our  days  are  ; 
and  may  our  great  and  constant  care  hereafter  be,  so  to 
believe  in  Jesus,  and  so  to  live  to  him,  as  to  be  able  to  wel- 
come death  as  our  real  gain  and  privilege,  looking  forward 
to  the  return  of  him  by  wliom  death  and  the  grave  are 
swallowed  up  in  victory.    Hear  us  for  Jesus'  sake. 

PRAYER  FOR  READINESS  FOR  OUR  LORD's  COMING. 

Matt,  xxiv.  44.  "  Be  ye  also  ready,  for  in  such  an  hour 
as  ye  think  not,  the  Son  of  man  cometh." 

0  most  gracious  Lord  and  Master,  Jesus,  who  hast  in 
thy  word  given  us  so  many  warnings  against  the  great  dan- 
ger of  disregarding  thy  coming  again,  and  hast  so  often 
called  us  to  watchfulness  and  prayer,  that  we  may  be 
accounted  worthy  to  escape  all  those  things  that  shall  then 
come  to  pass,  and  to  stand  before  thee,  the  Son  of  man,  I 
come  to  thee  for  grace  thus  ever  to  watch,  and  pray,  and 
take  heed,  and  be  ready.  0  let  me  never  yield  to  the 
temptation  of  thinking  my  Lord  delayeth  his  coming,  or  of 
asking  where  is  the  promise  of  his  coming.  But  may  I 
and  all  thy  children  everywhere  know  thy  long-suffering 
and  thy  goodness,  leading  us  to  repentance,  and  that  the 
day  of  the  Lord  will  come,  as  a  thief  in  the  night.  And 
may  this  assurance  stir  up  me,  and  all  thy  people,  to  all 
holy  conversation  and  godliness,  that  we  may  be  found  of 
thee  in  peace,  without  spot  and  blameless. 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRATERS.  427 

0  Lord  Jesus,  our  great  God  and  Saviour,  raise  our 
souls  to  this  blessed  hope  of  thy  glorious  appearing.  Help 
us  to  he  looking  for  it,  and  hastening  unto  it,  and  like  the 
wise  virgins,  to  be  constantly  gatliering  oil  in  our  vessels, 
that  we  may  be  ready  at  whatever  hour  thou  our  Lord 
shall  come.  May  thy  coming  be  to  us  a  hope  full  of  joy 
and  blessing  ;  and  may  our  whole  souls,  in  answer  to  the 
promise,  "  Surely  I  come  quickly,"  reply  "Amen,  even  so 
come,  Lord  Jesus." 

INTERCESSION  FOR  OTHERS. 

[The  author,  thinUng  that  his  readers  will  he  both  interested 
and  profited  hj  adopting  the  plan  recently  formed  for  a 
General  Private  Union,  inserts  the  following  account  of  it.\ 

REGULATIONS  FOR  THE  MEMBERS. 

1.  Each  member  of  the  union  declares  his  serious  inten- 
tion, by  the  help  of  God,  to  occupy  some  portion  of  time 
during  the  course  of  Saturday,  in  every  week,  in  private 
prayer  upon  the  subjects,  the  heads  of  which  are  arranged 
at  the  end  of  these  regulations,  his  circumstances  and 
frame  of  mind  permitting. 

N.B.— The  hour  from  seven  to  eight  in  the  morning  is 
suggested  ;  but  any  member  may  adopt  another,  according 
to  his  circumstances. 

2.  If  any  member  be  hindered  from  fulfilling  this  inten- 
tion on  the  day  appointed,  the  iirst  proper  opportunity 
afterwards  may  be  taken  for  the  purpose,  in  order  that  the 
object  be  obtained  some  time  in  the  course  of  the  week  ; 
that  is  to  say,  before  the  return  of  the  next  union  prayer 
day. 

HEADS  FOR  PRAYER. 

Agreed  to  he  used  hy  the  Members  of  the  General  Private 
Prayer  Union. 

I.  For  an  abundant  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  of  his 
gracious  influences. 


428 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


II.  For  the  purity  and  unity  of  the  church  of  Christ. 

III.  For  her  Majesty  the  Queen,  and  all  in  authority 
under  her  ;  and  for  a  special  blessing  upon  our  country. 

IV.  That  God  may  raise  up  in  great  numbers,  fit  persons 
to  serve  in  the  sacred  ministry. 

V.  That  a  blessing  may  accompany  the  ministrations  of 
the  word  of  God,  in  order  that  it  may  have  free  course  and 
be  glorified. 

VI.  For  the  fulfilment  of  God's  promises  to  his  ancient 
people,  the  Jews. 

VII.  For  the  propagation  of  the  gospel  amongst  the 
heathen. 

VIII.  For  a  special  blessing  upon  all  the  members  of 
the  union. 

The  foUovnng  prayer  nw.y  assist  the  reader  in  carrying  on 
this  blessed  object : — 

GENERAL  INTERCESSORY  PRAYER. 

1.  Almighty  Father,  who  hast  graciously  promised  that 
it  shall  come  to  pass  in  the  last  days  thou  wilt  pour  out  of 
thy  Spirit  upon  all  flesh,  grant  unto  thy  people  who  know 
the  joyful  sound  of  thj'  gospel,  and  believe  and  rejoice  in 
thy  love,  0  grant  unto  them  with  one  accord,  at  one  time, 
and  in  every  place,  to  seek  of  thee  the  fulfilment  of  this 
most  precious  promise.  We  earnestly  beseech  thee  to 
bestow  thy  Spirit  more  and  more  upon  our  fallen  race,  to 
renew  everywhere  the  work  in  the  hearts  of  men,  and  that 
his  gracious  and  holy  fruit,  love,  joy,  peace,  long-suff'ering, 
gentleness,  goodness,  faith,  meekness,  and  temperance,  and 
all  the  fruits  of  righteousness,  may  abound  to  thy  glory. 

2.  0  make  thy  people  everywhere  one.  We  earnestly 
seek  of  thee  this  great  blessing,  for  which  our  Redeemer 
offered  up  such  repeated  prayer  with  his  disciples.  Remove, 
speedily  remove,  all  those  works  of  the  flesh  that  hinder 
the  union  of  thy  people  ;  all  self  wisdom,  pride,  self-will, 
love  of  earthly  things  ;  take  away  every  root  of  bitterness, 
and  give  unto  them  such  grace,  that  they  may  forbear  one 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


429 


another  in  love,  and  endeavour  to  keep  the  unity  of  the 
Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace,  and  at  length  become  all  one 
in  Christ  Jesus. 

3.  Bless  our  Sovereign  Queen  Victoria  ;  guide,  sanctify, 
support,  and  comfort  her.  Direct  the  counsels  of  all  in 
authority  under  her,  and  may  their  measures  be  such  as 
shall  promote  thy  glory,  and  the  real  welfare  of  our  country. 
Look,  in  tender  mercy,  on  this  nation  ;  pardon  our  great 
.sins  ;  spare  us  still,  and  grant  that  those  amazing  advan- 
tages which  thou  hast  given  to  us,  may  be  used  for  the 
fullest  blessing  of  the  whole  earth.  Prosper  all  the  efforts, 
whether  individual  or  united,  of  thy  people,  for  our  spiri- 
tual and  for  our  temporal  good,  as  a  nation. 

4.  Raise  up  and  send  forth  labourers  into  thy  harvest. 
O  how  greatly  our  own  land,  and  every  Christian,  and 
Mahommedan,  and  Heathen  land — how  greatly  both  Jews 
and  Gentiles  now  need  the  faithful  labourers  !  0  Lord 
choose,  0  Lord  prepare,  0  Lord  raise  up  many  a  vessel  of 
mercy,  to  bear  thy  name  through  the  earth  ! 

.5.  And  accompany  with  thy  mighty  grace  and  blessing, 
the  ministrations  of  thy  gospel  in  every  land.  We  know 
and  joyfully  acknowledge,  that  all  spiritual  success  is  of 
thee  ;  all  the  strength  of  thine  own  word  is  of  thee.  O 
may  it  be  received  by  every  hearer,  not  in  word  only,  but 
in  power,  and  iu  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  in  much  assurance, 
that  it  may  through  the  earth  have  free  course  and  be 
glorified ! 

G.  Especially  regard  thine  ancient  people  Israel.  Bless 
every  effort  for  their  good,  every  society,  and  every  mis- 
sionary labouring  for  their  welfare.  Hasten  their  conver- 
sion to  Christ  ;  hasten  their  restoration  to  their  own  land, 
and  their  full  blessedness  there  as  a  righteous  nation,  keep- 
ing the  truth.  0  may  Jesus  speedily  be  the  gloiy  of  his 
people  Israel,  and  so  the  Heathen  fear  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  and  all  the  kings  of  the  earth  thy  glory. 

7.  0  Lord,  bring  in  also  the  fulness  of  the  Gentiles  ; 
shortly  accomplish  the  number  of  thine  elect,  and  hasten 
thy  kingdom.    Bless  every  missionary  society,  and  every 


430 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  ; 


missionary,  schoolmaster,  and  teaclier,  labouring  tor  the 
heathen,  and  every  station,  with  every  congregation, 
scliool,  and  convert  gathered  from  among  the  lieathen. 
May  our  eyes  see  far  greater  tilings  yet  done  according  to 
the  fulness  of  thine  own  love  ;  far  larger  faith,  zeal,  love, 
and  liberality  in  thy  church  ;  a  vastly  wider  and  fuller 
diffusion  of  thy  truth,  and  a  glorious  ingathering  of  souls 
through  tlie  world,  preparing  the  earth  for  all  thy  holy 
will,  and  the  speedy  return  of  our  divine  Redeemer. 

8.  And  bless  all  who  with  me  unite  in  offering  up  such 
desires  unto  thee.  Grant  that  in  seeking  thus  to  water 
others,  each  of  our  own  souls  may  be  watered,  and  refreshed, 
and  fructified,  with  showers  of  grace  and  blessing,  through 
Jesus,  our  great  High  Priest,  our  only  Lord  and  Saviour. 
Amen. 

PRAYER  FOR  THE  SOVEREIGN  AND  ALL  IN  AUTHORITV. 

Ezra  vi.  10.    "  Pray  for  the  life  of  the  King." 

0  thou  who  hast  commanded  thy  people  to  make  suppli- 
cations, prayers,  intercessions,  and  giving  of  thanks  for  all 
men  ;  for  kings  and  for  all  that  are  in  authority,  that  we 
may  lead  a  quiet  and  peaceable  life  in  all  godliness  and 
honesty  ; — We  come  unto  thee,  0  King  eternal,  invisible, 
immortal,  the  only  wise  God,  in  behalf  of  our  Sovereign 
Victoria,  the  Queen  of  these  countries,  entreating  thee  to 
pour  the  abundance  of  thy  grace  into  her  heart.  May  she 
live  in  thy  fear,  and  rejoice  in  thy  favour.  Be  unto  her  a 
shield  of  protection  and  a  robe  of  beauty.  Amidst  her 
many  cares,  let  thy  heavenly  mercy  refresh  her.  Amidst 
the  slippery  paths  of  earthly  greatness,  hold  thou  up  her 
goings  in  thy  ways.  Let  all  her  counsellors  be  guided  by 
heavenly  wisdom.  Preserve  them  and  our  country  from 
all  the  devices  of  infidel,  lawless,  and  Papal  men,  and 
grant  that  those  who  are  in  authority  over  us  may,  like 
Nehemiah  and  Daniel,  seek  thy  glory  and  the  good  of  thy 
church,  and  therein  the  true  blessedness  of  our  country. 
Hear  and  answer  for  the  sake  of  him  who  is  the  only  King 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


431 


of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords,  even  Jesus  our  Redeemer. 
Amen. 

FOR  OUR  COUNTRY. 

Jer.  xxix.  7.  "  Pray  unto  the  Lord  for  it,  for  in  the 
peace  thereof  shall  ye  have  peace." 

0  Lord,  to  us  belongeth  confusion  of  face  ;  to  our  kings, 
to  our  princes,  and  to  our  fathers,  because  we  have  sinned 
against  thee  ;  but  to  the  Lord  our  God  belong  mercies 
and  forgiveness,  though  we  have  rebelled  against  him. 
Thine  eye  has  seen  all  the  sinfulness  of  this  guilty  land — 
our  swearing,  and  sabbath-breaking,  and  drunkenness ; 
our  pride  and  vain  glory  ;  ouv  casting  off  more  and  more 
the  national  profession  of  thy  truth  ;  thou  hast  beheld  our 
love  of  money,  and  the  oppressions  of  the  great  ;  and  the 
discontent,  the  spirit  of  lawlessness  and  insubordination  of 
the  poor  ;  and,  above  all,  the  general  forgetfulness  of  thee, 
and  the  neglect  of  thy  gospel,  and  our  great  abuse  of  our 
special  and  peculiar  spiritual  privileges.  Before  it  be  too 
late,  give  us  as  a  nation  truly  to  repent  and  turn  unto  God. 
0  make  us  zealous  for  the  Lord  of  Hosts.  Multiply  faith- 
ful labourers  in  thy  church.  Clothe  our  bishops,  priests, 
and  deacons  with  righteousness,  and  let  thy  saints  sing  for 
joy.  Overthrow  all  the  devices  of  Satan  and  wicked  men. 
Bless  and  prosper  all  the  efforts  of  tliy  people  to  do  good 
to  the  bodies  and  souls  of  men.  0  make  us  a  nation  fearing 
God  and  working  righteousness.  May  the  vast  power  and 
commerce,  wealth  and  dominion,  and  the  many  spiritual 
privileges  which  thou  hast  bestowed  upon  us,  be  consecrated 
to  thee,  and  used  for  thy  glory,  and  the  good  of  our  fellow- 
creatures,  through  the  whole  earth.  Return,  0  our  God, 
and  bless  us,  and  by  us  bless  thy  people  Israel,  and  bless 
every  land,  so  that  thy  way  may  be  known  on  earth,  and 
thy  saving  health  among  all  nations,  through  Jesus,  our 
Redeemer. 


PRAYER  FOR  MINISTERS  OF  THE  GOSPEL. 

2  Thess.  iii.  L  "  Finally,  brethren,  pray  for  us,  that  tiie 


432 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


word  of  the  Lord  may  have  free  course  and  be  glorified,  even 
as  it  is  with  you." 

0  Lord  of  the  liarvest,  who,  seeing  tlie  harvest  to  be 
plenteous,  and  the  labourers  to  be  few,  didst  command  thy 
disciples  to  pray  that  the  Lord  would  send  forth  labourers 
into  his  harvest,  for  this  1  now  call  upon  thy  name. 
Everywhere  the  harvest  is  needing  the  labourers ;  in  our 
own  land  and  in  foreign  lands ;  among  Jews  and  Gen- 
tiles, in  Papal  and  in  Mahommedan  lands,  how  vast  the 
harvest !  Lord,  prepare  and  call  forth  the  labourers.  Give 
thou  the  word,  that  great  may  be  the  company  of  the 
preachers. 

And,  0  thou  who  didst  ascend  on  high,  leading  captivity 
captive,  to  give  gifts  to  men,  and  gavest  apostles,  pro- 
phets, evangelists,  pastors,  and  teachers  ;  multiply  such 
gifts  now,  as  the  church  and  the  world  need,  according  to 
the  largeness  and  the  fulness  of  tlie  grace  of  God  our  Sa- 
viour, who  will  have  all  men  to  be  saved,  and  come  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth. 

And  bless  very  largely  all  who  minister  in  holy  things. 
Look  on  the  bishops,  priests,  deacons,  and  ministers  of  thy 
church,  everywhere.  Give  them  increasing  knowledge, 
love,  zeal,  faitlifulness,  patience,  and  perseverance.  Send 
them  help  from  the  sanctuary,  and  strengthen  them  out  of 
Zion.  Open  effectual  doors  of  utterance  for  them  ;  cause 
them  always  to  triumph  in  thee,  0  Christ  Jesus  ;  and  make 
manifest  the  savour  of  thy  knowledge  by  them  in  every 
place,  to  the  glory  of  thy  righteousness  and  thy  grace,  and 
the  salvation  of  innumerable  souls,  their  joy  and  crown  of 
rejoicing  in  thy  day,  0  our  Redeemer  ;  to  whom,  with  tlie 
Father  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  be  all  lionour  and  glory  now 
and  evermore. 

PRAYER  FOR  THE  CHURCH  OF  CHRIST. 

John  xvii.  20,  21.  "  Neither  pray  I  for  these  alone,  but 
for  them  also  which  shall  believe  on  me  through  their  Avoids 
that  tliey  all  may  be  one  ;  as  thou.  Father,  art  in  me,  and 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


I  in  thee,  that  they  also  may  be  one  in  us  ;  that  the  world 
may  believe  that  thou  hast  sent  me." 

O  that  thou,  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  hast  purchased  to  thyself  a  universal  church 
by  the  precious  blood  of  thy  dear  Son,  mercifully  look  upon 
thy  people  now  scattered  over  the  earth,  but  one  in  Christ, 
having  one  spirit,  one  hope  of  our  calling,  one  Lord,  one 
faith,  one  baptism,  and  one  God  and  Father  of  us  all,  who 
is  above  all,  and  through  all,  and  in  all. 

Everywhere  multiply  mercy  and  peace  to  them.  By 
whatever  name  they  may  be  distinguished  here  on  earth, 
grace  be  with  all  them  that  love  the  Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity. 
Peace  be  with  all  thy  saints  who  call  upon  the  name  of  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  through  the  whole  world. 

0  heal  the  divisions  of  thy  people,  and  so  pour  tliy  Spirit 
upon  thy  Church,  that  all  may  be  of  one  mind  and  one 
heart,  and  all  come  in  the  unity  of  the  faith  and  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God,  unto  a  pei'fect  man,  unto  tlie 
measure  of  the  stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ.  Defend  thy 
church  from  Antichrist  in  every  form  ;  bruise  Satan  under 
our  feet  shortly  ;  may  we  be  very  bold  in  our  God  to 
speak  the  Gospel.  Teach  us  to  walk  worthy  of  our  high 
calling,  making  us  the  salt  of  the  earth,  and  the  light  of  the 
world,  till  we  are  presented  faultless  before  thy  presence 
with  exceeding  joy,  in  the  day  of  the  revelation  of  the 
glory  of  our  Lord  Jesus,  and  the  full  triumph  of  his  ti-uth 
and  kingdom  over  the  world.  Hear  us  for  his  name's  sake. 
Amen. 

PRAYER  FOR  THE  JEWS. 

Isaiah  Ixxii.  6,  7.  "  Ye  that  make  mention  of  the  Lord, 
keep  not  silence,  and  give  him  no  rest  till  he  establish,  and 
till  he  make  Jerusalem  a  praise  in  the  earth." 

O  thou  who  hast,  in  such  grace  and  love  to  thy  people 
Israel,  taken  it  as  thy  name  and  memorial  unto  all  genera- 
tions that  thou  art  the  God  of  Abraham,  the  God  of  Isaac, 
and  the  God  of  Jacob,  and  who  hast  commanded  us  to 
pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem,  promising  that  they  shall 
t  2  F 


434 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


prosper  who  love  thy  people,  I,  a  sinful  creature,  once  afar 
off  from  thee,  but  now  brought  nigh  by  the  blood  of  Jesus, 
call  upon  thee  for  those  now  for  a  season  broken  off.  Lord, 
behold  them  in  tender  mercy,  return  and  visit  them  with 
thy  salvation.  We  are  verily  guilty  concerning  these  our 
brethren.  Put  into  our  hearts  great  love  and  compassion 
for  them.  Remove  all  the  stumbling-blocks  which  pro- 
fessing Christians  have  laid  in  their  way,  by  their  fearful 
sins  of  persecution,  contempt,  idolatry,  neglect  of  thy  law, 
and  unbelief  of  thy  prophets.  Give  us  holy  sorrow  for 
these  our  sins.  Remove  all  their  self-righteousness,  trusting 
in  human  tradition,  covetousness,  partial  views  of  thyself, 
and  unbelief  in  the  Son  of  God,  and  give  them  true  repent- 
ance for  their  sins.  Accomplish  all  thy  gracious  purposes 
to  them.  Restore  them  to  their  own  land  wherein  their 
fathers  dwelt.  May  thj'  servant  David,  even  Christ  our 
Lord,  speedily  be  their  Prince  for  ever,  and  Zion  be  the  joy 
of  the  whole  earth.  Hear,  0  hear  us,  for  his  sake,  who 
is  the  King  of  the  Jews,  who  is  now  the  light  to  lighten 
the  Gentiles,  and  is  yet  to  be  the  glory  of  his  people  Israel. 
Amen. 


PRAYER  FOR  THE  HEATHEN. 

Psalm  ii.  8.  "  Ask  of  me  and  I  shall  give  thee  the  heathen 
for  thine  inheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth 
for  thy  possession." 

0  my  God  and  my  Father,  my  daily  portion  and  joy, 
my  strength  and  my  refuge  in  the  day  of  trouble,  according 
to  thy  gracious  command  I  come  before  thee  to  pray  for 
the  millions  whom  thou  hast  made,  and  whom  thou  lovest 
as  thy  creatures,  and  whom  thou  wouldest  have  to  be  saved, 
and  to  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  I  thy  most 
sinful  and  unworthy  creature,  but  loved  and  washed  from 
my  sins  in  the  blood  of  Jesus,  and  made  a  king  and  a  priest 
unto  thee,  my  Father,  encouraged  by  thy  own  blessed  as- 
surance that  it  is  good  and  acceptable  in  thy  sight,  pray 
for  all  these  my  fellow-men. 


THE  BOOK   OF  PRAYERS. 


435 


Behold,  in  infinite  mercy  and  compassion,  the  world 
lying  in  wickedness  ;  behold,  in  righteous  zeal  for  thy 
glory,  Satan,  the  god  of  this  world,  blinding  the  minds  of 
them  that  believe  not  ;  behold,  0  thou  God  of  light,  and 
love,  and  holiness,  the  fearful  issues  of  sin  against  thee, 
men  everywhere  sitting  in  darkness  and  in  the  shadow  of 
death  ;  and  come  speedily  and  succour  us.  The  whole  cre- 
ation groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  together  until  now, 
and  the  earnest  expectation  of  creation  waiteth  for  the 
manifestation  of  the  sons  of  God,  and  thy  children  are  still 
poor  and  afflicted,  and  the  ungodly  triumph.  0  hasten  thy 
coming,  thy  kingdom,  and  thy  glory. 

Strengthen  the  hands,  and  comfort  the  hearts  of  thy 
servants  against  all  their  enemies.  More  and  more  weaken 
and  destroy  all  the  forms  of  evil  by  which  Satan  has  de- 
luded men,  whether  in  heathen  or  Mahommedan,  or  Papal 
or  Protestant  lands.  May  Popery  and  superstition,  infi- 
delity and  lawlessness,  as  well  as  the  open  idolatry  of 
pagan  countries  be  driven  away  more  and  more  by  the 
growing  light  of  divine  truth. 

0  Lord,  how  vast  the  harvest,  and,  though  greatly  mul- 
tiplied, still  how  few  yet  are  the  labourers  to  gather  it  in  ! 
Lord  of  the  harvest,  send  forth  thy  labourers  everywhere. 
May  the  everlasting  gospel  fly  through  the  earth,  and  all 
nations  be  prepared  for  thy  return,  thy  judgment,  and  thy 
glorious  kingdom. 

Bless  all  thy  ministers  through  the  earth,  and  comfort 
and  help  every  missionary  now  bearing  the  heat  and  burden 
of  the  day  among  Jews  and  Gentiles  ;  let  thy  gracious  work 
be  accomplished  by  them  in  making  ready  a  people  pre- 
pared for  the  Lord.  Thus  shortly  complete  the  number  of 
thine  elect,  and  hasten  thy  kingdom,  for  Jesus  Christ's 
sake.  Amen. 


2  F  2 


436 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  ; 


THANKSGIVINGS. 

THANKSGIVINGS  FOR  TEMPORAL  BLESSINGS. 

Psalm  ciii.  2.  "  Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul,  and  forget 
not  all  his  benefits." 

0  my  God,  my  cup  runneth  over  with  blessings  every 
day.  Thou  hast  given  me  all  things  richly  to  enjoy.  How 
fearfully  and  vi'onderfully  am  I  made,  and  how  marvellous 
are  thy  works  1  Every  limb  and  every  sense,  every  faculty 
of  body  and  of  mind,  and  every  affection  within,  all  were 
formed  and  created  by  thee  for  my  good.  Thou  hast  given 
me  life  and  food  for  my  life :  body,  and  raiment  for  that 
body  ;  and  what  a  provision  hast  thou  made,  not  merely 
for  my  subsistence,  but  for  my  growth  in  knowledge  and 
happiness  day  by  day.  0  how  full  are  the  lieavens,  and 
the  earth,  and  the  sea,  and  all  that  are  therein,  of  thy 
wisdom  and  righteousness,  thy  grace  and  loving-kindness  ! 
How  hast  thou  stored  every  thing  with  gracious  proofs  of 
the  unsearchable  riches  of  thy  love  to  us  ! 

And  when  I  look  at  my  sinfulness  and  utter  unworthi- 
ness  of  the  least  of  all  thy  mercies,  and  that  in  Christ  Jesus 
all  things  whatsoever  are  working  together  for  good  to 
them  that  love  thee,  0  what  praises  are  due  to  thee  from 
whom  alone  comes  every  good  and  perfect  gift !  All  thanks 
and  glory  be  to  thee.  May  my  life  shew  forth  thy  praise. 
Preserve  me  from  ever  forgetting  to  whom  I  owe  all  my 
mercies,  and  give  me  a  heart  to  use  every  thing  entrusted 
to  me  to  the  glory  of  thee,  the  Giver,  and  the  good  of  my 
fellow-men,  for  Jesus'  sake.  Amen. 

THANKSGIVING  FOR  NATIONAL  MERCIES. 

Deut.  iv.  8.  "  Wliat  nation  is  there  so  great,  that  hatli 
statutes  and  judgments  so  righteous." 

Who  can  count,  0  our  God,  all  thy  mercies  to  those 
British  Isles  of  the  sea  in  which  we  live  ?    How  great  is 


TOE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


437 


the  sum  of  thy  goodness  !  The  Lord  hath  done  great  things 
for  us,  whereof  we  are  glad.  He  raised  us  up  out  of  our 
low  estate  of  barbarism,  and  from  all  the  idolatry  of  our 
pagan  forefathers.  He  gave  us  the  light  of  his  gospel  in 
the  beginning  of  its  blessed  course,  and  when  we  abused 
that  light,  and  sunk  deep  in  papal  darkness,  in  tlie  fulness 
of  his  love,  the  same  glorious  light  was,  at  the  Reforma- 
tion, freely  again  given  to  us.  He  has  made  us  the  first  of 
the  nations  in  power  and  influence,  colonies  and  comniei'ce, 
and  growing  prosperity  and  dominion  :  and  our  land  is  the 
land  of  Bibles,  and  the  seat  of  missions,  and  the  storehouse 
of  blessings  for  the  earth.  0  amazing  grace  to  such  a  re- 
bellious nation  !  May  we  know  now  at  length  the  things 
which  belong  to  our  peace  ;  may  we  at  last  hearken  to 
God's  commandments,  that  our  peace  may  be  as  a  river, 
and  our  righteousness  as  the  waves  of  tlie  sea.  O  teach  us 
to  whom  we  owe  all  our  mercies,  and  the  great  trust  given 
to  us  with  them.  Teach  us  to  give  thee  glory  for  all,  by 
truly  repenting  of  all  our  national  iniquities.  Raise  us  to 
that  blessedness  which  thou  hast  set  before  us,  to  be  a  full 
blessing  to  Jews  and  Gentiles,  even  to  all  the  nations  of 
the  earth,  every  where  holding  forth  that  word  of  life, 
which  thou  hast  given  to  us,  through  Jesus  the  only  light 
of  life. 

THANKSG-IVING  FOR  A  GOOD  HARVEST. 

Psalm  Ixv,  13.  "  The  valleys  also  are  covered  over  with 
com  :  they  shout  for  joy,  they  also  sing. 

How  good  art  thou,  O  Lord,  in  the  continued  bounties 
of  thy  providence  from  age  to  age  !  Faithful  is  thy  cove- 
nant made  with  Noah  of  old  ;  while  the  earth  remaineth, 
seed-time  and  harvest,  and  cold  and  lieat,  and  summer  and 
winter,  and  day  and  night  shall  not  cease.  What  a  gra- 
cious provision  hast  thou  again  made  for  the  wants  of  thy 
needy  ci-eatures  all  over  our  land  !  And  this,  notwith- 
standing all  our  great  sinfulness  and  continual  rebellion 
against  thee.  May  so  much  goodness  at  length  melt  and 
subdue  our  hearts,  and  bring  us  to  be  thy  willing  and  obe- 


438 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


dient  people.  0  may  these  witnesses  of  thy  power  and 
loving-kindness,  in  tlius  doing  us  good,  in  giving  us  rain 
from  heaven  when  it  was  needed,  and  fruitful  seasons, 
filling  our  hearts  with  food  and  gladness,  lead  us  to  repent- 
ance and  to  forsake  every  evil  way.  May  we  ever  keep  in 
mind  that  day  of  the  Lord  which  comes  as  a  thief,  and  that 
final  harvest  and  reaping  of  the  earth,  and  the  separation 
of  the  righteous  from  the  wicked,  so  quickly  approaching 
us  all  ;  and  may  we  now  so  come  to  thee  by  Jesus  Christ, 
trusting  in  him  as  our  only  Saviour,  and  living  to  him 
who  died  for  us,  that  we  may  be  accepted  of  thee  on  that 
day,  and  be  numbered  with  thy  people,  and  gathered  safe 
home  into  thy  heavenly  kingdom  with  shoutings  of  ever- 
lasting joy,  through  Jesus  our  Redeemer. 

THA.NKSOIVING  OF  PARENTS  ON  THE  BIRTH  OF  A  CHILD. 

1  Sam.  i.  27.  "  For  this  child  I  prayed,  and  the  Lord 
hath  given  me  my  petition  which  I  asked  of  him." 

Almighty  Father,  how  can  we  thank  thee  enough  for 
thy  great  goodness  to  us  ?  Thou  hast  been  very  gracious 
to  us,  in  carrying  thy  handmaid  through  the  hour  of  trouble 
and  sorrow,  and  we  remember  no  more  our  sorrow,  for  joy 
in  this  fresh  gift  of  thy  love.  Lo  !  children  and  the  fruit 
of  the  womb  are  an  heritage  and  gift  that  cometh  of  the 
Lord.  All  praise  and  glory  be  to  thee  !  What  a  trust 
hast  thou  given  to  us  !  a  never-dying  soul,  born  of  us  its 
sinful  parents,  and  by  nature,  tlirough  our  sin,  evil,  yet 
redeemed  by  the  blood  of  Christ,  and  with  full  provision 
made  by  thee,  in  Jesus  and  in  the  gift  of  thine  own  Spirit, 
for  its  everlasting  salvation,  and  final  glory  in  thy  heavenly 
kingdom.  What  a  seed  of  blessing  to  others  also  maj^  this 
child  be  !  How  weighty  our  responsibility  and  duty  ! 
Lord,  from  its  birth  we  devote  it  to  thee.  Lord,  sanctify 
our  little  one  from  the  womb.  Give  us  grace  to  bring  it 
to  thy  holy  baptism  in  faith  and  prayer,  and  ever  to  train 
it  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  Bless  it 
and  make  it  a  blessing,  now  and  evermore,  through  Jesus 
our  Redeemer. 


THE  BOOK  OF  PRAYERS. 


439 


THANKSGIVING  FOR  RECOVERY  FROM  SICKNESS. 

Psalm  ciii.  3.  "  Who  forgiveth  all  thiue  iniquities,  who 
healeth  all  thy  diseases." 

0  thou  who  didst  graciously  promise  to  thy  people  of  old, 
"  Behold  I  will  bring  health  and  cure,  and  I  will  cure 
them,"  I  come  unto  thee  with  a  grateful  heart  for  all  thy 
great  goodness  in  removing  this  sickness,  and  restoring 
afresh  the  health  of  the  body.  Thou  hearest  and  answerest 
the  prayer  of  them  that  call  upon  thee  in  the  day  of 
trouble  ;  thou  pi-eservest  the  afflicted  ;  I  give  thee  alone  all 
the  praise  ;  the  skill  of  the  physician,  and  the  virtue  of 
medicine,  and  the  kindness  of  friends,  and  the  provision 
for  our  wants,  all  come  first  from  thee,  and  to  thy  name  be 
glory. 

0  Lord,  restore  my  soul  ;  revive  the  work  of  thy  grace 
in  my  heart  ;  let  my  fresh  strength  be  devoted  wholly  to 
thy  service.  Let  the  healing  of  the  body  be  also  the  heal- 
ing of  the  soul  ;  through  thy  abounding  grace  give  new 
life,  health,  and  strength  for  my  soul,  that  all  my  back- 
slidings  healed,  I  may  with  an  enlarged  heart  run  in  the 
way  of  thy  commandments,  through  Jesus,  ray  Redeemer. 
Amen. 

THANKSGIVING  FOR  SPIRITUAL  BLESSINGS. 

Ephes.  i.  3.  "Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  blessed  us  with  all  spiritual 
blessings." 

O  Lord,  open  thou  my  lips,  and  my  mouth  shall  shew 
forth  thy  praise.  How  wonderful  is  thy  loving-kindness 
to  the  children  of  men  !  I  praise  and  magnify  thy  holy 
name,  that  thou  so  loved  the  world  as  to  give  thine  only- 
begotten  Son  to  take  our  nature,  and  die  for  us,  and  thus, 
in  the  surest  and  fullest  way,  prove  thy  love  to  all  men.  I 
praise  thee  for  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  be  my  daily 
Teacher,  Sanctifier,  and  Comforter.    What  treasures  of 


440 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH 


love  are  here  I  Innumerable  are  thy  spiritual  benefits  : 
thy  word  is  a  lamp  to  my  feet  and  a  light  to  my  paths  ; 
thy  ministers  are  given  for  my  edification  ;  thy  house  and 
day  for  fuller  fellowship  with  thee  and  thy  people.  For 
those  special  means  of  grace  and  pledges  of  love,  baptism, 
and  the  Lord's  Supper,  all  thanks  and  praise  be  to  thee. 

Thou  hast  redeemed  me,  called  me,  justified  me,  adopted 
me,  and  sanctified  me  ;  daily  thou  upholdest  my  goings  in 
thy  path,  and  sparest  and  helpest  me  ;  thou  hast  given  me 
eternal  life,  and  the  hope  of  sharing  my  Redeemer's  glory 
in  his  heavenly  kingdom. 

And  what  can  I  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  his  benefits  ? 
O  ever  give  me  simple  faith  in  thy  loving-kindness,  a 
grateful  reception  of  thy  truth,  and  a  heart  devoted  in  all 
things  to  thy  glory,  through  Jesus  my  Redeemer.  Amen. 


HINTS  FOR  PRAYER. 


44] 


CHAPTER  XXI. 


HINTS  FOR  PRAYER. 


he  following  Heads  of  Prayer  for  assisting  the  recollection  in  our  devotions 
having  been  found  to  be  useful  for  that  purpose,  are  added  at  the  close  of 
this  work. 


1.  THANKS  FOR  MERCIES. 


1  Thess.  V.  8.    In  every  thimj  give  thanLs. 


Each  hour's  good 
Each  day's 
My  whole  life. 

Temporal. 
Being,  birth,  nature, 
members,  faculties, 
senses,  presei-vation, 
food,  health,  clothing, 
education,  home,  posses- 
sions. 

ii^oHn  of  Creation. 
Heaven,  earth,  sea,  crea- 
tures,   variety,  beauty, 
usefulness,  fruitfulness. 

Works  of  Art. 
Ease,  comfort,  countless 
benelits. 

l^piritual. 
«ift  of  Christ, 
Gift  of  Spirit, 
God  my  Father, 
Known  in  Chri.st, 
Church  of  Christ, 
Redemption, 
Calling,  conversion, 


Justification, 
Adoption,  comfort, 
Sanctification, 
Joy,  perseverance, 
Election. 

Mearis  of  Grace. 
Scriptures,  abundance, 
sureness,  fulness,  and 
clearnes.'?. 

Ministers  of  word. 
Baptism,  Lord's  Sapper, 
Christian  fellowship, 
pious  books,  friends. 

Ckvreh  of  England. 
Doctrinus,  ministry, 
LiliDgy,  tlinrches. 
Establishment. 

Provitlmtial. 
Light  and  air,  sun  and 
rain,  day  and  night,  heat 
and  cold,  seed  time,  har- 
vest, prosperity,  trials. 

Special  mercie-f. 
Deliverance,  recovery, 
upholding,  peculiar,  in 
past  life. 


Mlcisinff  to  others. 
Being  made  so. 
Seeing  their  good. 

Farniti/  blessings. 
Provision,  protection, 
love,  sympathy,  parents, 
children,  servants,  mas- 
ter, friends. 

National  bkssintjs. 
Religion,  peace,  safety, 
freedom. 

Prospective  Good. 
Return  of  Christ, 
His  kingdom, 
.'oy  of  creation. 
Eternal  life. 

The  Giver. 
How  great,  good,  wise, 
righteous,  holy,  forbear- 
ing, and  forgiving. 

The  Multitude. 
Countless,  constant. 

The  Receiver. 
Unworthy,  misusing, 
most  sinful. 


442 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH  : 


II.  CONFESSION  OF  SINS. 


1  John  i.  9.  Iftcecoiij 
si'iis,  and 


Against  the  Laic. 
Not  loving  God, 
Not  loving  man, 
Self-seeking. 

Against  the  Gospel. 
Impenitence, 
Unbelief, 
Disobedience. 

As  to  God. 
His  presence,  truth, 
power,  righteousness, 
grace,  wisdom,  love, 
not  duly  regarded,  nor 
glorified. 

As  to  Christ. 
His  person,  will, 
work,  life,  glory, 
not  looked  to,  loved, 
followed,  obeyed. 

As  to  tJi£  Spirit. 
Not  duly  sought,  led 
by,  depended  on,  but 
grieved  and  provoked, 
and  quenched. 

Conscience. 
Slighted,  made  dull. 


ifess  our  sins,  he  faithful  a'ndjutt  to  forgive  t«  ov.r 
to  cUame  us  frohi  ail  unrii 

I     Ea-tH'i  hesetting  Sin. 

j  Self-denial. 
wanting,  in  food, 
ease,  studies,  ho- 
nour ;  ungodliness, 
and  worldly  lusts. 


Conversation. 
light  and  vain,  idle, 
man-pleasing. 

Filthiness  of  spirit. 
Pride,  vanity,  wrath, 
strife,  self-will, 
envy,  jealousy,  lies, 
impatience. 

Filthiness  of  flesh. 
sensual,  impure. 


not  sober,  righteous, 
godly. 

Scriptures. 
not  duly  prized, 
believed,  read, 
prayed  over. 


Devotion.i. 
want  of  faith  and 
fervency  ;  formal, 
dull,  reluctant,  in- 
constant, omitted. 


Public  Worship. 
wanderings, 
irreverence. 

Baptism. 
unimproved,  vows 
broken,  good  lost. 

Lord's  Supper. 
unpreparedness, 
formality,  self-nghte- 
ousness,  no  faith  nor 
love. 

Pariiih,  neighbours, 
friends — their  good 
not  sought,  want  of 
care,  love,  bounty. 
Ill-will,  evil-speaking. 

Aggravation. 
light,  mercies,  greatnes: 
number. 


III.  PETITION  FOR  GOOD. 


Psalm  Ixxxi.  10.    Open  thy  mouth,  wide,  ami  I  mllfUl  it. 


Knowledge  of  truth. 
Belief,  love  of  it. 
Repentance  for  sin. 
Free,  full  pardon. 
Confidence  in  God. 
Victory  over  sin. 
Lam,  delight  in, 
conformity  to. 
Gospel  believed,  obeyed, 
welcomed,  and  rejoiced 
in. 

God ;  his  holy  love, 
known,  believed,  shed 
abroad ,  God  walked 
with,  his  will  mine. 
Christ  received,  abided, 
rejoiced  in,  followed,  all 
in  all. 


Spirit,  to  guide, 
dwell  in,  sanctify, 
comfort,  gladden. 
Holiness,  inward, 
outward,  all  acts  of. 
ITwughts,  wise, 
scriptural,  peaceful. 
Affections,  pure,  holy, 
spiritual,  heavenly. 
Words,  true,  kind, 
right,  and  edifying. 
Actions,  upright, 
becoming  gospel, 
steady,  diligent, 
abounding  in  good. 
Grace  sufficient. 

Victory  ocer  Sata.n. 


Word  of  Christ. 
dwelling  richly  in  me, 
a  lamp,  a  light,  delight 
in,  regulating  all. 
Con.^cicnce,  pure. 
Tempers,  meek, 
humble,  loving, 
patient,  holy. 
Faith,  living, 
strong,  conquering. 
Hope,  assured. 
Clia  rity,  unfailing. 

Frails  of  the  Spirit 
richly  produced. 
Good  Works. 
2  Peter  i.  4—7. 
Self-denial,  grace 


HINTS  FOR  PRAYER, 


443 


to  crucify  the  flesh, 
not  preferring  self  nor 
indulging  self. 

Sini'U  of  prrn/fi'. 
praise,  joy,  and  glory. 
Special  lone  to  God*s 
people. 

Real  love  to  all  men, 
to  enemies. 
l/»cf uhlan,  as  salt  of 
earth,  as  light  of  the 
world.    By  example, 
words,  writing,  pub- 
lishing, giving. 
Bithirged  good  to  family, 
neighbours,  church. 


TemptaJio'its  resisted, 
overcome. 

Rfkuive  Duties. 
Minister,  hearer, 
husband,  wife, 
master,  servant, 
parent,  child, 
brother,  sister, 
friend,  neighbour, 
ruler,  subject. 
Grace  to  fulfil  each 
Fustiiiff,  grace  for 

New  coveiWHt, 
Laws  put  in  mind, 
written  in  heart, 
God  a  God  to  us, 
we  to  him  a  people. 


all  knowing  him,  sins 
not  remembered. 
God's  mercy. 

Eorthlij  Good. 
End.    God's  glory. 

Dcnj  of  Chri.'it. 
Watchfulness  for 
praying  always, 
not  overcharged, 
looking,  waiting  for  it, 
hasting  to  it,  all  ready 
for  him. 

Second,  coming. 
Loving  his  appearing. 
Even  so  come. 
God  all  in  all. 


IV.  INTERCESSION  FOR  OTHERS. 


1  Tim.  ii.  1.    Intercession  made  for  all  men. 


Famil;/,  good  of  husband, 
wife,  parents, 
children,  inmates, 
servants,  bodily  and 
spiritual. 
Relations. 
husband's  parents, 
wife's  parents, 
brothers  and  fami- 
lies, sisters  and 
families,  distant 
relatives, 
God-children, 
guardians,  orphans. 
Friends.  A.  B.  C. 
Neighhours,  D.  E.  F. 
Parish:  minister, 
leading  families, 
church  officers, 
civil  officers, 
teachers,  schools, 
church-goers,  com- 
municants, young, 
aged,  poor,  healthy, 
sick,  widows,  dying. 
Careless,  opposers, 
wickedest,  parish 
societies,  oneness. 

Church  of  ChrM. 
Revival,  healing  of 
divisions,  increase  and 
full  glory. 

Church  of  England. 
Bishop.s,  priests,  dea- 
cons, menil)ers,  make 
all  faithful :  my  own 
bishop. 
For  its  purity, 
removal  of  ofl'ences, 


usefulness  and 
diffusiveness. 
Safety  from  foes. 

Dissenters. 
Grace  with  all  that 
love  Christ, 
Restored  union. 

Seasons. 
Fasts,  festivals, 
baptisms,  confirma- 
tion. Lord's  Supper. 
Visitations. 

Our  Cn^mtry. 
Queen,  royal  family, 
parliament.  Queen's 
council,  princes, 
nobles,  rulers,  magis- 
trates, merchants, 
prisoners,  poor. 
Power  devoted  to 
God's  glory. 
His  church  Iielped, 
his  name  honoured. 
Britain  a  blessing  to 
all  nations. 

Ou.r  Universities. 
Heads,  professors. 
Tutors,  members, 
students,  constant 
springs  of  good. 

Schools,  Colleges. 
Christian  truth. 
Faith  and  practice. 
Sound  knowledge. 

Religious  Societif:S. 
Home,  continent, 
world  at  large,  Jews, 
Bible,  missionary. 


reformation,  church 
societies,  Irish, 
sailors,  book  and 
tract,  benevolent, 
education,  hospital, 
asylum,  all  aiming 
to  do  good  to  body  or 
soul. 

V'/ichrisiian  World. 

Jews,  conversion, 

peace,  restoration, 

missionaries  to. 

Gentiles,  great  in- 
j  gathering,  sending 

labourers,  those 
I  now  preaching. 

Kimjdoni  of  Clirist. 
[  Hasten  it  daily, 
I  constant  growth , 

destroy  anti-Christ, 
I  overthrow  Satan, 
■  remove  prejudices, 
Jewish,  Christian  ; 
bring  in  Jews,  re- 
move Pagan  idolatry, 
Mahomedan  dark- 
ness. 

Overthrow  popery, 
infidelity,  lawless- 
ness, deliver  op- 
pressed, sanctify 
judgment,  pour  out 
the  Spirit  on  all 
Hesh,  fill  the  earth 
with  the  glory  of 
Christ,  let  all  creation 
be  soon  joyf  ul  and 
glad  in  him  for  ever. 


444 


CHRISTIAN  TRUTH. 


V.  SPECIAL  ON  THE  SABBATH. 


Isaiah  Iviii.  12.    Call  the  Sabbath  a  ddhjht,  the  holy  of  tJie  Lord. 


Sins. 
Formal  worship, 
worldly  converse, 
vain  thoughts, 
ministerial  sins, 
people's  sins,  indo- 
lence, pleasure. 

Want.^. 
God's  presence, 
worship  in  spirit, 
fellowship  with 
Christ,  large  gilt  of 
Spirit,  quickening. 


[  reviving,  growth  in 
grace,  communion 
of  saints,  power  of 
word,  sacraments. 

Mercies. 
The  sabbath,  house 
of  God,  preached 
gospel,  church 
ordinances,  free 
I  access,  quiet  rest, 
'  public  protection, 
1  Protestant  truth, 
■  fulness  of  word. 


Intercession. 

All  ministers,  all 
congregations,  de- 
cayed churches, 
newly  planted 
churches,  those 
absent,  those  in  Jewish, 
Heathen,  Papal,  and 
Mahomedan  desti- 
tution, my  own  mi- 
nister and  church, 
places  without  the 
gospel. 


VI.  HINTS  MORE  PARTICULAR  AND  PERSONAL. 


Matt.  v.  6. 

COMPESSION. 

Sins  dearest  to  -us. 
Psalm  xviii.  23. 
Matt.  V.  29,  30. 
Heb.  xi.  1. 
Petition. 

More  pressing  wants. 
Of  body,  I  Kings  viii. 
33—45. 

Of  soul,  Psalm  xxxviii. 
Thanksgivikg. 
Rf.iaarko.hle  mercies. 
Deut.  V.  15.  vii.  18. 
viii.  3. 

INTEECESSION. 

Names  in  family. 
Names  of  relatixm. 


Names  of  God- 
thildren. 


Pray  to  thy  Father  which  is  in  secret. 
Names  of  friend.s. 


Names  of  neighbo'ur.':. 


Names  of  Places. 


Special  public  dangers. 


Names  of  Pdigiow: 
Societies. 


Names  of  ilissions  and 
Missionaries. 


Our  own  plans  of  doing 


Svjbjects  of  prayer  'in 
Private  Prayer  Union' 
an  Saturday,  from 
7  to  8  morning. 

1.  Gift  of  Spirit. 

2.  Unity,  purity  of 

church  of  Christ. 

3.  Queen,  rulers, 

country. 

4.  Sending  ministers 

to  preach. 

5.  Blessing  on  the 

ministry  of  word. 

6.  Promises  to  Jews. 

7.  Propagation  of  the 

Gospel  among  the 
heathen. 

8.  Blessings  on  all  the 

members  of  the 
Union. 


I.-INDEX  TO  FORMS  OF  PRAYER  AND 
PRAISE. 


1 .  List  nf  Scripture  Prayers,  379 

2.  Preparation  for  Prayer  and 

Praise. 

For  the  grace  of  prayer,  319 
For  enlargement  of  mind,  322 
For  watchfulness,  325 
For  fervency,  332 
For  a  thankful  spirit,  335,  338 
To  be  delivered  from  mere  form, 
37fi 

3.  Private  Prayer. 
Morning,  382 
Noonday,  384 
Evening,  385 
Litany,  387 

Morning  for  a  labourer,  389 
Evening  for  a  labourer,  390 
For  a  labourer's  wife,  391 
For  husband  and  wife  tocether. 

391  ' 
For  a  servant,  392 
For  a  youth,  393 
For  a  little  cliild,  394 
A  child's  morning  prayer,  394 
A  child's  evening  prayer,  395 
Private  Sunday  morning,  395 
Private  Sunday  evening,  396 

4.  Family  Prayers. 
Prayers  from  the  American  Epis- 
copal Liturgy,  397 


Short  family  prayers,  405 
Sunday  morning,  405 
Sunday  evening,  407 
Monday  morning,  407 
Monday  evening,  408 
Tuesday  morning,  409 
Tuesday  evening,  410 
Wednesday  moming,  41 1 
Wednesday  evening,  412 
Thursday  morning,  413 
Thursday  evening,  414 
Friday  morning,  415 
Friday  evening,  416 
Saturday  morning,  417 
Saturday  evening,  4J  8 

5.  For  special  occasions. 
Before  reading  the  Bible,  14 
After  reading  the  Bible,  15 
For  conversion,  420 
For  help  in  difficulties,  421 
In  sickness,  422 
For  parents  before  baptism,  423 
For  parents  after  baptism,  423 
For  the  baptized  child,  423 
Before  confirmation,  424 
After  confirmation,  424 
Before  the  Lord's  Supper,  425 
After  the  Lord's  Supper,  426 
On  a  death  in  a  family,  426 
For  readiness  for  our  Lord's  com- 
ing, 427 


446       INDEX  TO  FORMS  OF  PRAYER  AND  PRAISE. 


6.  Times  of  Affliction  and 
Con/lict. 
To  discern  God's  design,  278 
Rightly  to  receive  it,  "282 
For  its  healing,  285 
Conviction  of  sin,  288 
Aid  in  Christian  warfare,  291 
For  its  benefits,  293 
For  victory  with  Christ,  295 

7.  For  Graces  and  Blessings. 
Conformity  to  God's  will,  15 
To  know  God,  22 
Communion  with  God,  41 
A  new  heart,  57 
To  profit  by  creation,  60 
To  see  our  needy  state,  106 
For  the  Holy  Ghost,  141,  18.5 
His  farther  outpouring,  143 
For  spiritual  life,  176 
To  look  at  things  unseen,  190 
Growth  in  grace,  193 
A  waiting  spirit,  205 
Christian  experience,  207 
Poverty  of  spirit,  212 
Purity'in  heart,  224,  257 
Christian  graces,  228 
Repentance,  231 
Faith,  241,245 
Holiness,  257 

Fulfilling  relative  duties,  262 
Divine  strength,  270 
To  know  Christ,  302 
For  Christian  jo}',  305 
That  joy  may  be  our  strength,  305 
For  a  large  view  of  God's  mercies, 
322,  338 


j  8.  On  the  Ten  Commandments. 
'  To  know  God's  law,  359—373 


1st 

363 

6th... 

...370 

2nd 

366 

7th 

371 

3rd 

367 

8th 

372 

4th 

368 

9th 

373 

5th 

369 

10th 

373 

9.  Intercession. 

General  Intercessory  prayer,  429 

For  the  Queen,  431 
I  For  our  country,  432 
'  For  ministers  of  the  gospel,  432 

For  the  church  of  Christ,  433 

For  the  Jews,  434 

For  the  heathen,  435 

10.  Thanksgivings. 

For  God's  works,  49 
For  spiritual  mercies,  73 
I  For  God's  love,  249 
For  Christ's  intercession,  249 
For  the  Holy  Spirit,  163 
For  helps  in  prayer,  329 
I  Scripture  Thanksgivings,  381 
j  For  temporal  blessings,  437 
[  For  national  mercies,  437 
For  a  good  harvest,  438 
On  the  birth  of  a  child,  439 
For  recovery  from  sickness,  440 
For  spiritual  blessings,  440 

11.  Hints  on  Prayer,  442 


II.— GENERAL  INDEX. 


Advocate,  1 1.5 
Affections  to  God,  2.58 
to  man,  261 
Afflictions,  271  ;  prayer  in.  278 
American  family  prayer,  307 
Apostles'  Creed,  342 
Baptism,  333  ;  prayers  for,  423 
Bible,  1  ;  Contents,  5  ;  Rules  for, 

13  ;  subjects  of,  20  ;  prayers  on 

readinj,',  l.j,  Ki 
Birth,  thnnks  for,  4.39 
Children's  duties,  2fi2 ;  prayers 

for,  ,393  ^ 
Christ,  34(i;  onr  life,  1C5  ;  joy, 

299  ;  coming-,  427 
Christian  hope,  199  :  graces,  208; 

holiness,  2.50  ' 

—  —  privilege,  187 

Church,  Catholic,  353 
Commandments,  356 
Comfort,  121 

Communion  of  saints,  353 
Confession  of  unholiness,  267 
Confirmation,  prayer  for,  424 
Conflict,  286  ;  prayers  in,  291 
Conformity  to  God,  15 
Conversion,  prayer  for,  420 
Conviction  of  sin,  286 
Corruption  of  man,  165 
Country,  prayer  for,  432 
Creation,  42 ' 
Creed,  342 
Crucifixion,  349 
Darkness,  time  of,  297 
Death,  prayer  on,  426 
Defects  of  holiness,  264 
Election,  96 

Enlargement  of  prayer,  307 
Everlasting  praise,  339  ;  life,  355 
examples  of  faith,  239 


E.xperience,  prayer  for,  207 
Faith,  229;  prayer  for,  241 
Fall  of  man,  52,  165 
Family  prayers,  397 
Fellow-men,  prayer  for,  .321 
Fervency,  prayer  for.  332 
Forgiveness  of  sins,  98 
Forms,  mere,  prayer  on,  376 
Friday ,  prayer  for,  41 5 
God,  21  ;  names  of,  28  ;  our  salva- 
tion, 34;  communion  with,  38 
Governors'  duties,  262 
Graces,  Christian,  208 
Grace  of  prayer,  400 
Growth  in  grace,  prayer  for,  193 
Harvest,  good  thanks  for,  438 
Hearers,  262 

Heart,  new  prayer  for,  57 
Heathen,  prayer  for,  435 
Heaven,  351 
Hell,  3.50 

Help  for  prayer,  325  ;  for  praise, 
335  ^ 

High  Priest,  112 

Holiness,  250 ;  prayer  for,  257 

Holy  Spirit,  124  ;  names  of,  141  ; 
work  of,  144  ;  prayer  for,  185 

Hooker  ((noted,  1 70 

Il'i]ie,  Cliristian,  199 

lliniueniig  after  righteousness.  217 

Husljandx,  262  ;  prayer  of,  391 

Insjiiration,  148 

Intercession  of  Christ,  103,  110, 
119  ' 
Intercessory  pra3'er,  429 
Jehovah,  28 
.lesus  (see  Christ),  346 
.l(^ws,  4.  prayer  for,  434 
Joy,  296 
Judgment,  352 


448 


GENERAL  INDEX. 


Knowledge  of  God,  '22 

 —  of  Christ,  302 

Labourers,  prayer  for,  390 
Life  in  Christ,  165 
Litany,  387 

Lord's  Supper,  184,  pravers  for, 
425 

Masters'  duties,  262 

Means  of  faith,  243  ;  holiness,  267 

Mediator,  115 

Meek,  215 

Mercies,  God's  321  ;  prayer  on, 
338 

Merciful,  220 
Ministers,  prayer  for,  432 
Miracles,  18 
Monday,  prayer  for,  407 
Mourners,  213 
Names  of  God,  28 
National  mercies,  437 
New  birth,  98,  134 
Objects  of  faith,  223 
Outpourins  of  Spirit,  143 
Parables,  17 

Parents'  duties,  262 ;  prayers,  422 
Peace-makers,  225 
Poor  in  spirit,  210 ;  prayer  for,  212 
Praise,  3i53 

Prayer,  315  ;  private  prayer,  382 

Predestination,  194 

Privileges,  Christian,  187:  chil- 
dren, 191  ;  young,  19)  ;  fathers, 
192 

Proofs  of  faith,  241 
Providence,  62 
Psalms,  16 

Pure  in  heart,  222  ;  prayer  for, 224 
Queen,  prayer  for,  43i 
Recovery,  thanks  for,  440 


Redeemer,  85,  200 
Redemption,  83,  93 
Regeneration.  146,  232 
Relative  duties,  262  ;  prayer  on, 

262  ^ 
Repentance,  229 ;  prayer  for,  231 
Renewing,  234 
Resurrection,  201,358 
Reward  of  prayer,  330 
Reynolds,  Bishop,  117 
Risen  life,  179 
Sanctification,  99, 152 
Saturday's  prayer,  417 
Self-examination,  327 
Sermon  on  Mount,  208 
Servants'  duties,  262 ;  prayer,  392 
Sins,  354 
Son  of  God,  346 

Spiritual  life,  169;  its  varied  state, 

190  ;  prayer  on,  176 
Spiritual  blessings,  thanks  for,  440 
Strength,  divine,  prayer  for,  270 
Sunday  morning  and  evening,  405 
Thankful  spirit,  prayer  for,  335 
Thanksgiving,  161,  249,  381,  401 
Thursday,  pra3"er  for,  413 
Trinity,  124 
Triumphs  of  faith,  246 
Tuesday,  prayer  for,  409 
Victory  of  the  soul,  293 
Virgin  Mary,  348 
Waiting  spirit,  praver  for,  205 
Wants,  321 
Warfare,  inward,  288 
Watchfulness,  322 
Wednesday,  prayer  for,  41 1 
Wives,  duties,  262;  prayers,  391 
Work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  1-14 
Youth's  prayer,  393 


THE  END. 


I 


IL.  S-i'.loj,  Thames  Dittoa. 


Theological  Seminary- Speer  Librai 


012  01147  3883 


